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                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         UNITED STATESSECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSIONWashington, D.C. 20549FORM 10-K ☑ANNUAL REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934FOR THE FISCAL YEAR ENDEDMARCH 31, 2024OR☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15 (d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934FOR THE TRANSITION PERIOD FROM ______________TO_______________Commission File Number:  001-00652 UNIVERSAL CORPORATION (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)Virginia54-0414210(State or Other Jurisdiction ofIncorporation or Organization)(I.R.S. EmployerIdentification Number)9201 Forest Hill Avenue,Richmond,Virginia23235(Address of Principal Executive Offices)(Zip Code)  804-359-9311 (Registrant's telephone number, including area code) Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Exchange Act:Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registeredCommon Stock, no par valueUVVNew York Stock ExchangeSecurities registered pursuant to Section 12(g) of the Act:    NoneIndicate by check mark if the registrant is a well-known seasoned issuer, as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act.  Yes þ No oIndicate by check mark if the registrant is not required to file reports pursuant to Section 13 or Section 15 (d) of the Act.  Yes o No þIndicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes þ  No oIndicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files). Yes þ  No oIndicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer,  a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and "emerging growth company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act. Large Accelerated Filer þ     Accelerated Filer o     Non-Accelerated Filer o     Smaller reporting company o     Emerging growth company  oIf an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐ Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has filed a report on and attestation to its management’s assessment of the effectiveness of its internal control over financial reporting under Section 404(b) of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act (15 U.S.C. 7262(b)) by the registered public accounting firm that prepared or issued its audit report. ☑If securities are registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act, indicate by check mark whether the financial statements of the registrant included in the filing reflect the correction of an error to previously issued financial statements. ☐Indicate by check mark whether any of those error corrections are restatements that required a recovery analysis of incentive-based compensation received by any of the registrant's executive officers during the relevant recovery period pursuant to §240.10D-1(b). ☐Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  ☐   No ☑ The aggregate market value of the registrant's voting and non-voting common equity held by non-affiliates, based upon the closing sales price on the New York Stock Exchange of the registrant's common stock on September 29, 2023, the last business day of the registrant's most recently completed second fiscal quarter, was approximately $1.2 billion.As of May 21, 2024, the total number of shares of common stock outstanding was 24,573,408.DOCUMENTS INCORPORATED BY REFERENCEPart III incorporates certain information by reference from the registrant's 2024 Proxy Statement for the 2024 Annual Meeting of Stockholders, which will be filed no later than 120 days after the close of the registrant's fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONFORM 10-KTABLE OF CONTENTSItem No.PagePART I1.Business41A.Risk Factors121B.Unresolved Staff Comments181C.Cybersecurity182.Properties203.Legal Proceedings214.Mine Safety Disclosures21PART II5.Market for Registrant's Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities226.[Reserved]227.Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations237A.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk408.Financial Statements and Supplementary Data419.Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure899A.Controls and Procedures899B.Other Information89PART III10.Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance9011.Executive Compensation9212.Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters9213.Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence9214.Principal Accounting Fees and Services92PART IV15.Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules9316.Form 10-K Summary93Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying Accounts94Exhibit Index95Signatures982Forward-Looking StatementsThis Annual Report on Form 10-K, which we refer to herein as our Annual Report, contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Among other things, these statements relate to Universal Corporation’s financial condition, results of operations and future business plans, operations, opportunities, and prospects. In addition, Universal Corporation and its representatives may make written or oral forward-looking statements from time to time, including statements contained in other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) and in reports to shareholders. These forward-looking statements are generally identified by the use of words such as we “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “could,” “should,” “may,” “plan,” “will,” “predict,” “estimate,” and similar expressions or words of similar import. These forward-looking statements are based upon management’s current knowledge and assumptions about future events and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from any anticipated results, prospects, performance, or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to: success in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions and integration of new businesses and the impact of these new businesses on future results; product purchased not meeting quality and quantity requirements; reliance on a few large customers; our ability to maintain effective information technology systems and safeguard confidential information; anticipated levels of demand for and supply of our products and services; costs incurred in providing these products and services including increased transportation costs and delays attributed to global supply chain challenges; timing of shipments to customers; higher inflation rates; changes in market structure; government regulation and other stakeholder expectations; economic and political conditions in the countries in which we and our customers operate, including the ongoing impacts from international conflicts; product taxation; industry consolidation and evolution; changes in exchange rates and interest rates; impacts of regulation and litigation on our customers; industry-specific risks related to our plant-based ingredients businesses; exposure to certain regulatory and financial risks related to climate change; changes in estimates and assumptions underlying its critical accounting policies; the promulgation and adoption of new accounting standards, new government regulations and interpretation of existing standards and regulations; and general economic, political, market, and weather conditions. For a description of factors that may cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking statements, see Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”  We caution investors not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements as these statements speak only as of the date when made, and we undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements made in this report. In addition, the discussion of the impact of current trends on our business in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Other Information Regarding Trends and Management’s Actions” in Item 7 should be read carefully in connection with evaluating our business and the forward-looking statements contained in this Annual Report.GeneralThis Annual Report uses the terms “Universal,” “the Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” to refer to Universal Corporation and its subsidiaries when it is not necessary to distinguish among Universal Corporation and its various operating subsidiaries or when any distinction is clear from the context in which it is used. See the “Results of Operations” section in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 for a discussion of adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, and segment operating income (loss), non-GAAP financial measures that we refer to in this Annual Report on Form 10-K and consider useful in understanding our business results and trends.3PART IItem 1.  Business A.    The Company Overview Universal Corporation is a global business-to-business agriproducts company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers’ evolving needs. With operations in over 30 countries on five continents, we are uniquely positioned to leverage our worldwide network to access a diverse, reliable supply of plant-based materials. This presence, combined with our supply chain expertise, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability, enables us to deliver high-quality, customizable, and traceable value-added agriproducts essential to our customers’ success. We have two operating segments: Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. Our Tobacco Operations segment involves procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental leaf tobacco for manufacturers of consumer tobacco products and performing related services. We are the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. Through our Ingredients Operations segment, we procure raw materials globally and process the raw materials through a variety of value-added manufacturing processes to produce high-quality, innovative, specialty plant-based ingredients, including fruits, vegetables, botanical extracts, and flavorings for consumer-packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, and food and beverage companies. We do not sell any direct-to-consumer products. Rather, we support consumer product manufacturers by selling them transformed agriproducts and performing related services for them.Recognizing that leaf tobacco is a mature industry, we have been positioning our company for the future by investing in and growing Universal Ingredients, our plant-based ingredients platform, while leveraging our position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier to maximize opportunities in the leaf tobacco business. In fiscal year 2024, we continued to enhance and increase the capabilities of Universal Ingredients to drive value creation. We have been achieving operational synergies across the platform among our acquired businesses, including FruitSmart, Inc. (“FruitSmart”), acquired on January 1, 2020, Silva International, Inc. (“Silva”), acquired on October 1, 2020, and Shank’s Extracts, LLC (“Shank’s”), acquired on October 4, 2021. We have also made considerable progress on our vision to provide a total solutions-based portfolio of value-added product offerings to our customers. Additionally, we intend to continue to enhance our product offerings over the longer term by leveraging Universal’s existing global sourcing capabilities, strong relationships with our farmer base, sustainability practices, and agronomic expertise. We generated approximately $2.7 billion in consolidated revenues and earned $222.0 million in total operating income and $226.3 million in total segment operating income in fiscal year 2024. Universal Corporation is a holding company that operates through numerous directly and indirectly owned subsidiaries. Universal Corporation’s primary subsidiaries are Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated ("Universal Leaf"), which is associated with our Tobacco Operations segment, and Universal Global Ventures, Incorporated, which is associated with our Ingredients Operations segment. See Exhibit 21, “Subsidiaries of the Registrant,” for additional subsidiary information. Additional InformationOur website address is www.universalcorp.com. We post regulatory filings on this website as soon as reasonably practicable after they are electronically filed with or furnished to the SEC. These filings include annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, current reports on Form 8-K, proxy statements, Section 16 reports on Forms 3, 4, and 5, and any amendments to those reports filed with or furnished to the SEC. Access to these filings on our website is available free of charge. Copies are also available, without charge, from Universal Corporation Investor Relations, 9201 Forest Hill Avenue, Richmond, VA 23235. Reports filed with the SEC may be viewed at www.sec.gov. We also post our press releases on our website. Information on our website is not deemed to be incorporated by reference into this Annual Report.In addition, our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Conduct, and charters for the Audit Committee, the Compensation Committee, the Executive Committee, the Finance and Pension Investment Committee, and the Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee are available free of charge to shareholders and the public through the “Investors-Governance” section of our website. Printed copies of the foregoing are available to any shareholder upon written request to our Treasurer at the address set forth on the cover of this Annual Report or may be requested through our website, www.universalcorp.com.4B.    Description of Business Tobacco Operations Universal is a vital link between farmers and manufacturers of consumer tobacco products, sourcing the crop for our customers and processing it to meet their exact specifications. We are the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and have a presence in all major flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental tobacco growing origins. Our Tobacco Operations procure, process, pack, store, and ship tobacco all over the world for use in international consumer tobacco brands. We also provide specialty services to our customers like custom blending, chemical and physical testing of tobacco, service cutting, reconstituted leaf tobacco manufacturing, and just-in-time product delivery. In addition to our leaf tobacco business, we are involved in other tobacco-related opportunities, including liquid nicotine for manufacturers of next generation tobacco products and recycled waste materials from tobacco production. We contract directly with farmers and farmer organizations in many of the countries in which we operate. Partnering with Universal offers most growers the added benefit of access to crop input packages (including advances of seeds or seedlings and fertilizer) that may not otherwise be readily available. As we are dedicated to promoting a sustainable farmer base, Universal provides significant agronomic support throughout a season, including educational programs in such matters as good agricultural practices("GAP"), the reduction of non-tobacco related materials, product traceability, environmental sustainability, agricultural labor standards, and social responsibility. Before each growing season, we use customer indications of tobacco type, style, and volume requirements to help us determine our farmer contracting needs in each region. Discussions of a customer’s needs may begin as early as one to two years in advance of a particular crop purchase. Ultimately, sales agreements specifying quantity, quality, grade, and price are executed, leading to inventory allocations of purchased “green” and processed leaf as well as packed leaf that we have acquired. Revenues for our Tobacco Operations are generated from product sales of green and processed leaf as well as packed tobacco that we source; from processing fees for tobacco owned by third parties; and from fees for other services.Timely processing is an essential service to our customers because “green” or unprocessed tobacco leaf is a perishable product. Processing leaf tobacco includes grading in the factories, blending, removing of non-tobacco material, separating of leaf from the stems, drying, packing to precise moisture targets for proper aging primarily in corrugated cardboard cases, as well as temporarily storing packed tobacco. This generally requires investments in factories and machinery in the geographic areas where tobacco is grown. Processed tobacco that has been properly packed can be stored by customers for several years prior to use, but most processed tobacco is used within two to three years. We conduct our flue-cured and burley tobacco business in varying degrees in a number of countries, including Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Italy, Malawi, Mexico, Mozambique, the Netherlands, Paraguay, the People’s Republic of China, the Philippines, Poland, the Republic of South Africa, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, the United Arab Emirates, the United States, and Zimbabwe. In addition, our oriental tobacco joint venture, Socotab, L.L.C. ("Socotab") has operations in Bulgaria, Greece, the Republic of North Macedonia, and Türkiye. We also operate in major dark tobacco producing countries, including the United States, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Indonesia, Paraguay, the Philippines, and Brazil.We are a major purchaser and processor in the primary exporting regions for flue-cured and burley tobacco throughout the world. Africa, Brazil, and the United States produce approximately two-thirds of the flue-cured and burley tobacco grown outside of the People's Republic of China. We estimate that over the last five years we have handled, through leaf sales or processing, on average between 20% and 30% of the annual production of such tobaccos in Africa, between 15% and 25% in Brazil, and between 35% and 45% in the United States. These percentages can change from year to year based on the size, price, and quality of the crops.We believe that our leading position in the leaf tobacco industry is based on our volumes handled; our operating presence in all of the major sourcing areas; our ability to meet customer style, volume, and quality requirements; our experience in dealing with large numbers of farmers; our expertise in delivering a sustainable supply of compliant, traceable, competitively-priced leaf tobacco; and our long-standing relationships with customers. Our ability to market most styles and grades of leaf to a diverse customer base, and the efficiencies we offer customers due to our operational expertise and established infrastructure, are also key to our success.We believe our Tobacco Operations will continue to produce solid financial returns and enhance shareholder value through the following key operating principles: •Strategic market position. By working closely with both our customers and our suppliers throughout the year, we ensure the consistent delivery of a product that meets our customers' needs and cultivate a strong, sustainable supplier base. We also maximize supply chain efficiencies by balancing product purchases against indicated customer demand and maintaining global procurement and production operations.5•Strong local management. Empowered and experienced local management in our supply origins, coupled with global coordination, affords us the flexibility to quickly and successfully adapt to constantly shifting market conditions, while continuing to deliver high-quality, competitively priced products and services. •Compliant products. Customers expect a sustainable supply of compliant, traceable, competitively priced products, and we meet this demand through our investment in GAP training for farmers which encompasses crop quality, environmental stewardship, and agricultural labor standards.•Diversified sources. We operate in over 30 countries on five continents and maintain a presence in all major tobacco origin markets. This global presence allows us to meet our customers' diverse product requirements while minimizing the effects of adverse crop conditions and other localized supply disruptions.•Financial strength. Financial strength is critical to our existing global operations and enables us to invest in suitable opportunities when they arise. Management of liquidity, borrowings, and capital costs provides us with a competitive advantage, affords us flexibility when responding to customer requirements and market changes, and allows us to enhance shareholder value.Seasonality Our tobacco operations are seasonal in nature. While the growing, marketing, and purchasing cycles differ from region to region, we typically operate each of our tobacco processing plants for seven to nine months of the year. During this period for each region, inventories of “green” or unprocessed tobacco, inventories of processed tobacco, and trade accounts receivable normally reach peak levels in succession. We normally finance this expansion of current assets with cash, short-term borrowings from banks, and customer advances, and these funding sources normally reach their peak usage in each region during its respective purchasing or processing period. Our balance sheet at our fiscal year end reflects seasonal expansions in working capital in South America and Central America. Our financial performance is also impacted by the seasonality of our business. Due to global tobacco growing cycles, as well as customer shipment preferences, we typically ship a larger portion of our volumes in the second half of our fiscal year. Changes in customer shipment schedules or changes in crop timing in a season can shift recognition of revenue in a given fiscal year or between fiscal years. Customers A material part of our tobacco business is dependent upon a few customers. Sales to our largest customers, with whom we have long-standing relationships, have accounted for approximately 60% of our consolidated revenues for each of the past three fiscal years. Our largest customers are Altria Group Inc., British American Tobacco plc, China Tobacco International, Inc., Imperial Brands plc, Japan Tobacco, Inc., and Philip Morris International, Inc. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, each of Imperial Brands plc and Philip Morris International, Inc., including their respective affiliates, accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. Competition Competition among leaf tobacco suppliers is based on the ability to meet customer specifications in the growing, buying, processing, and financing of tobacco, and on the prices charged for products and services. The number of competitors varies in each operating country, but there is competition in most areas to buy and sell the available tobacco. Our principal competitor is Pyxus International, Inc. (“Pyxus”) (formerly Alliance One International, Inc.), and we consider ourselves and Pyxus to be the only global leaf suppliers based on our worldwide scope of operations. However, Universal is the only global leaf tobacco supplier with operations in the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Hungary, Italy, Mexico, Mozambique, Paraguay, the Philippines, and Poland and that participates in the sale and production of dark air-cured tobaccos. Most of our major customers are partially vertically integrated, thus they also compete with us for the purchase of leaf tobacco in several of the major markets. However, each of our customers generally has specific preferences for certain styles of tobacco leaves and only utilizes certain stalk positions of the tobacco plant. In contrast, we have the ability to commercialize the entire tobacco plant and supply all major varieties of tobacco.In most major leaf tobacco markets, smaller competitors are active and typically are opportunistic and have lower overhead requirements, but they generally provide less agronomic support to farmers. Due to their lower cost structures, they tend to offer a lower price, but amongst others our long-term presence, our investments in employees, facilities and communities, our GAP and Agricultural Labor Practices (“ALP”) programs, our sustainability efforts and supply chain monitoring as well as our quality controls add value for our customers in an increasingly regulated world. Our GAP training supports an approach to farming that is focused on sustainability, sound field production, and fair labor management practices that promote farmer profitability and reflect environmental sensitivity. We provide comprehensive training, technical support in the field, and crop analytics through ongoing research and development. Our major customers increasingly require these services, and we believe our 6programs increase the quality and value of the products and services we offer. In addition, our customers value the security of supply that we can provide due to our strong relationships with our farmer base and our global footprint.Ingredients OperationsSimilar to the tobacco side of our business, our Ingredients Operations source raw materials globally to provide our customers with a consistent, high-quality, and stable supply of plant-based ingredients. A variety of value-added manufacturing processes are then used in these businesses to convert such raw materials. We produce a wide spectrum of fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates, dehydrated products, botanical extracts, flavorings, and innovative, value-added ingredients utilizing products and capabilities across the entire Universal Ingredients platform. We strategically invested in established companies with strong financial records. These businesses operate in different markets (fruits, vegetables, and flavors) and offer value-added services that can apply broadly to multiple parts of our Ingredients Operations to better meet our customers’ needs for unique, plant-based ingredients. By diversifying our portfolio in the ingredients space through the acquisitions of FruitSmart, Silva, and Shank’s, we are positioned to deliver deeply customizable products and services to our customers. FruitSmart supplies a broad set of juices, concentrates, pomaces, purees, fruit fibers, seeds, seed powders, and other value-added products to food, beverage, and flavor companies throughout the United States and internationally. Their top products are not-from-concentrate apple juice as well as apple, blueberry, concord grape, and raspberry juice concentrates. FruitSmart is well positioned to benefit from growing consumer preferences for better-for-you premium ingredients, including custom blends, not-from-concentrate and dry products, and strong growth in targeted end markets including ciders, purees and nutraceuticals. FruitSmart is headquartered in the Yakima Valley in Washington State and has approximately 200 employees. FruitSmart operates two separate manufacturing facilities: one that produces liquid products and one that produces dry products. In 2023, FruitSmart implemented several projects to improve refrigeration efficiency and installed a central refrigeration control system that substantially reduced year-over-year energy use – an approximately 15% decrease on average per month. Silva procures over 60 types of dehydrated vegetables, fruits, and herbs from over 20 countries around the world and specializes in processing natural materials into custom designed dehydrated vegetable and fruit-based ingredients for a variety of end products. Its top five ingredients product categories are vegetable blends, peppers, spinach, carrots, and pumpkin. Headquartered in Momence, Illinois, Silva employs over 200 people and has a 380,000 square foot manufacturing facility. Silva has established a reputation as the go-to provider of clean, natural, specialty dehydrated vegetable and fruit-based ingredients due to its unique competencies and significant capacity to source, process, and manufacture materials. Silva also has longstanding relationships with suppliers and their farmers around the world and maintains strong quality control procedures to ensure a consistent, high-quality supply of ingredients. Silva’s manufacturing facility was recently expanded and enhanced. As a result, the business is well positioned to take advantage of increasing demand for natural and clean-label products across the end markets it serves, including the growing savory and pet food end markets. Shank’s offers a diversified portfolio of over 2,400 botanical extracts, distillates, natural flavors, and colors for industrial and private label customers worldwide, and is known for significant vanilla expertise. Shank’s is also equipped to offer customers custom bottling and packaging for their products. Shank’s employs more than 200 people at their 191,000 square foot manufacturing campus in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. In May 2023, Universal announced a major expansion project at the Lancaster facility. Upon completion, the project is expected to add an industry-leading combination of extraction, blending, and aseptic packaging. The investment will also offer refrigerated storage and enhanced capabilities to support additional customer demand and growth into new product categories and markets. The expansion project is expected to be fully operational by the second half of fiscal 2025. To support Universal Ingredients, we have invested in an Ingredients Operations commercial team and a fully staffed product research and development group. This platform-level support enables us to deliver unique, custom products to our customers. Our newly created research and development function includes highly trained food scientists that are skilled in the creation of various food and beverages to showcase the value of our ingredients. The commercial sales team consists of seasoned sales professionals that work closely with the research and development team. This platform team is tasked with becoming subject matter experts on the entire suite of products to help leverage the full potential of the ingredients portfolio and drive earnings growth. Longer term, we believe we will be able to enhance our overall product offerings and achieve significant operational synergies by leveraging Universal’s existing global sourcing capabilities, strong relationships with our farmer base, and agronomic expertise. CustomersOur Ingredients Operations primarily service the food and beverage industry, which is diverse and encompasses a variety of companies that cater to different market segments. These companies can range from small, privately held regional food and beverage brands to multinational food and beverage companies. The food and beverage market is segmented into many different categories including retailers, food service providers, consumer packaged goods companies, beverage companies, and many others. Silva, our company that provides custom dehydrated vegetables, also has a large presence in the pet food market. With our 7most recent investments in our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility, we will be focusing heavily on the food service, beverage and casual dining markets. Our investment in the research and development function in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, supports our ability to meet the demands of such a large and diverse group of customers. No customer accounted for more than 10% of our Ingredients Operations segment revenues in fiscal year 2024.Competition Universal Ingredients serves the human and pet food markets as well as the beverage market, one of the largest industrial categories in the United States. There are thousands of companies represented in the plant-based ingredients segment and hundreds that offer similar or competitive types of products. The market remains highly fragmented with many competitors being relatively small, privately-owned, entrepreneurial companies that lack corporate level support for product development, platform sales, and capital investments. We distinguish ourselves in this market by offering high-quality, innovative, customized product solutions with global sourcing capabilities and having strong, long-standing customer relationships. SustainabilityAs a global agricultural company, the success of our business is linked to the health and resiliency of the environments in which we operate, and we have a fundamental responsibility to our stakeholders to set high standards of social and environmental performance to support a sustainable supply chain. We consistently disclose our operational activities and sustainable practices in a transparent manner through our annual Sustainability Report which can be found on our website. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee has primary oversight of our Environmental, Social, and Governance ("ESG") programs. We continue to further strengthen our approach to sustainability throughout the organization in alignment with recognized best practices, regulatory compliance, and shareholder interests.As a global agriproducts supplier operating in numerous countries around the world, we primarily focus our sustainability efforts on our own operations and the farmers in our supply chain with whom we contract for raw materials. Sustainability efforts with respect to our facilities around the world involve the adoption and implementation of policies and procedures related to environmental impacts, workforce protections and programs such as those we address in “Human Capital Management” below, and other important considerations. Sustainability efforts in our supply chain emphasize important issues related to the countries and communities in which we operate and include the protection of farm worker rights through appropriate agricultural labor practices and monitoring the reduction of environmental impacts through compliance with industry-recognized GAP programs, as well as our own environmental programs and initiatives. Agricultural Labor PracticesThroughout the world, we work side-by-side with our contracted farmers to produce a sustainable tobacco crop that adheres to GAP and appropriate ALP. As part of our ALP program, we train contracted farmers on the ALP Code principles and monitor their adherence through multiple in-person visits during the tobacco growing season. The significant investment of time and resources we commit each year to our ALP program evidences the importance of sustainable labor practices to our business. Our global ALP Code consists of seven principles that set forth human rights expectations for our contracted farmers to meet:1.Progressive elimination of child labor. 2.Adherence to income and work hour requirements. 3.Fair treatment of workers. 4.Prohibition of forced labor. 5.Providing safe working environments. 6.Recognition and respect of workers’ rights to freedom of association and collective bargaining. 7.Compliance with local employment laws. Environmental ImpactsUniversal is committed to abiding by environmental laws and regulations, monitoring our supply chain activities, and cooperating with supply chain partners to implement strategies that mitigate and reduce environmental impacts that may be associated with our business. We recognize three primary environmental responsibilities throughout our global footprint:  responsible consumption of water and natural resources; responsible forestry management; and minimizing greenhouse gas emissions. In fiscal year 2024, Universal continued making progress towards our sustainability goals as outlined in our annual Sustainability Report. We made progress towards our operational emissions targets. We also entered into a virtual power purchase agreement, which will generate renewable electricity equal to our North American footprint beginning in 2026, and entered an emissions reduction agreement expected to provide benefits to tobacco growing areas in the Philippines, which will offset a portion of our emissions in Asia beginning in 2025. We also continued monitoring for our social supply chain targets, and for the second year in a row, we substantially met our personal protective equipment distribution, child labor elimination, farm labor accommodation, and farm labor payment goals for our contracted tobacco growers. 8For a discussion of recent developments and trends in our businesses, along with factors that may affect our businesses see Item 7, “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations,” and Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”C.    Human Capital ManagementWorkforce Overview Our employees are among our most important resources, and we rely on them to execute our business plan with integrity and efficiency. Investing in human capital is critical to our continued success. Our employees enable us to be a leading global supplier of leaf tobacco and other agriproducts. We strive to foster a diverse and inclusive workplace; attract, retain, and develop talented personnel; and keep our employees safe and healthy.As of March 31, 2024, we employed more than 27,000 employees, operating in over 30 different countries across five continents. Approximately 60% of our employees are seasonal and approximately 40% are full-time employees. Almost 50% of our employees are female and more than 20% of our managers are female. Globally, Universal has twelve collective bargaining agreements in place, covering approximately 52% of our workforce. The sizeable seasonal nature of our global workforce makes these numbers fluctuate throughout the year. The above percentages reflect our workforce on March 31, 2024.We are a multinational and multicultural organization, with employees and operations located around the world, and we are committed to maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace. Only around 5% of our employees are located in the United States. Almost all of our employees are from the same country in which our operations are located. Our expatriate hires represent less than 0.4% of our workforce, and they are hired due to their essential professional knowledge necessary for the operation of our business.9Universal Corporation’s Board of Directors’ Role in Human Capital ManagementOur Board of Directors believes that human capital management is an important component of our continued growth and success and is essential to our ability to attract, retain, and develop talented and skilled employees. We pride ourselves on a culture that respects co-workers and values concern for others. Our Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and our Compensation Committee both have important roles with respect to human capital management. The Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee oversees and reviews our ESG programs, which include important policies and practices related to human rights, diversity and inclusion, prohibitions against discrimination, employee health and safety, and other policies related to our workforce. The Compensation Committee has oversight of compensation, benefits, and retention and development processes of senior management, including an annual review of the Company's succession planning and leadership development program. We are committed to protecting the human rights of our employees and have policies in place to support this effort, including those relating to whistleblowing, harassment, equal employment, and compliance with local labor laws. Our Board of Directors also adopted our Code of Conduct and Anti-Corruption Compliance Manual to promote ethical behavior throughout the Company and address violations of ethical standards. The Code and Manual have been translated into 16 languages and apply directly to all officers, directors, and non-seasonal employees in the Universal family of companies. The Board of Directors also adopted our Human Rights Policy, which defines the high ethical and social standards we implement across our global operations. We support these rights and programs through compliance communications, face-to-face and online training, and an anonymous compliance hotline that we maintain globally. Our compliance hotline is available to all our employees and any other interested parties 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, by internet or phone. The Board of Directors oversees our global compliance program and receives reports from our Chief Compliance Officer at each scheduled Board of Directors meeting. Employee Compensation and BenefitsWe offer our employees competitive base salaries and wages, and we have a salary administration process where we regularly review and adjust our employees’ total compensation and benefits when warranted to ensure they are competitive in our industry and are aligned with our performance. In addition, we believe employee benefits are an essential component of our total compensation package. Each of our global operations provides benefits that are designed to attract and retain our employees. These benefits vary depending on the location, seniority, and employment status of our employees, and can include medical insurance, long-term disability insurance, retirement benefits, and similar programs.In the United States, benefits to our employees include medical, dental, disability and life insurance, flexible spending accounts, and a 401(k) Retirement Plan with a 5% match and immediate vesting. We provide a health care advocacy service to assist our employees with various medical needs as they make these decisions, and we provide a mental health and financial counseling program for our employees and their families. We also offer other benefits which may vary by location, but which include performance, holiday, attendance and other bonus opportunities, a tuition assistance program (offering assistance up to 75%) as well as a 501(c)(3) matching gift program to benefit communities in which our employees work and reside.We support our employees outside of work through a variety of initiatives and strongly believe that our success relies on the prosperity of the communities in which we operate. We fund various programs that enhance local communities, economies, and cultures. For example, in numerous locations we support projects designed to impact our employees and their families such as establishing health clinics and wellness programs to assist our employees, administering after school care for schoolchildren, or funding local cultural events. Ultimately, we recognize our impact extends beyond the workplace and are proud to engage as both active corporate citizens and leaders in our neighborhoods, communities, and countries. We publicly disclose additional information about our community support activities each year in our Sustainability Report.Talent Development and TrainingEmployee training and development of both technical and leadership skills are integral aspects of our human capital strategy. We provide employees with a range of development opportunities that vary by location and seniority of employees, such as online training and live classes. These programs often include safety and technical job skill training as well as soft-skill programs focused on communication and change management. Development of leadership skills is also a priority and is specialized for different levels of employees. For example, members of management in our global operations participate in our succession planning programs, which include the identification of employees who are offered development opportunities for career advancement. To further develop leadership skills, we also maintain some specific leadership programs for aspiring leaders and new supervisors, managers and directors.10Health and SafetyThe health and safety of our employees is at the forefront of our business efforts. We are committed to the prevention of injury and illness in the workplace through strong health and safety management, employee empowerment and accountability, and strict compliance with health and safety regulations. Our programs are designed to influence our Company’s culture through employee engagement and leadership behavior. We pair our health and safety management system with a strong database reporting tool to allow all Universal facilities to track their local occupational health and safety performance and that of the entire company. These reports allow our global teams to analyze the insights collected from our health and safety system immediately to support compliance and promote continuous improvement.Additionally, we utilize other health and safety initiatives to ensure our facilities remain safe for our employees. We established health and safety Key Performance Indicators ("KPIs") across our tobacco factory and agronomy operations. Each factory carries out an in-depth data analysis of prior data and implements KPIs for improvement and monitoring. By giving employees a goal to achieve and monitor, they will be more engaged in what they do and better able to help us succeed. Our “fresh eyes” approach to workplace safety involves inviting colleagues from different facilities to share in cross-auditing tasks. In addition to corporate audits, we encourage this regional cross-auditing to promote a collaborative framework and drive our employee safety programs forward.Legal compliance is a fundamental aspect of our health and safety practices. Universal companies adhere to full compliance with health and safety laws and regulations and cooperate with local authorities to maintain strong health and safety programs. As part of our commitment to a robust supply chain, our policies require our suppliers and partners to uphold healthy and safe work environments in compliance with all relevant regulations. D.    Research and Development We did not expend material amounts for research and development during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, or 2022. E.    Intellectual Property We hold no material patents, licenses, franchises, or concessions. F.    Government Regulation, Environmental Matters, and Other Matters Our business is subject to general governmental regulation in the United States and in foreign jurisdictions where we conduct business. Such regulation includes, but is not limited to, matters relating to environmental protection. To date, governmental provisions regulating the discharge of material into the environment have not had a material effect upon our capital expenditures, earnings, or competitive position. See Item 1A, “Risk Factors” for a discussion of government regulations and other factors that may affect our business. 11Item 1A.  Risk FactorsThe risks and uncertainties described below are those that we currently believe could materially adversely affect us. Other risks and uncertainties that we do not presently consider to be material or of which we are not presently aware may become important factors that affect us in the future. If any of the risks discussed below actually occur, our business, financial condition, operating results or cash flows could be materially adversely affected. Accordingly, you should carefully consider the following risk factors, as well as other information contained in or incorporated by reference in this Annual Report.Operating FactorsIn areas where we purchase leaf tobacco directly from farmers, we bear the risk that the tobacco we receive will not meet quality and quantity requirements.When we contract directly with tobacco farmers or tobacco farmer cooperatives, which is the method we use to purchase tobacco in most countries, we bear the risk that the tobacco delivered may not meet customer quality and quantity requirements. If the tobacco does not meet such market requirements, we may not be able to fill all of our customers’ orders, and such failure would have an adverse effect on profitability and results of operations. In a contract market our obligation is to purchase the entire tobacco plant, which encompasses many leaf styles, therefore, we also have a risk that not all of that production will be readily marketable at prices that support acceptable margins. In addition, in many foreign countries where we purchase tobacco directly from farmers, we provide them with financing. Unless we receive marketable tobacco that meets the quality and quantity specifications of our customers, we bear the risk that we will not be able to fully recover our crop advances or recover them in a reasonable period of time. The leaf tobacco industry is competitive, and we are heavily reliant on a few large customers.We are one of two major independent global competitors in the leaf tobacco industry, both of whom are reliant upon a few large customers. The loss of one of those large customers or a significant decrease in their demand for our products or services could significantly decrease our sales of products or services, which would have a material adverse effect on our results of operations. The competition among leaf tobacco suppliers and dealers is based on the ability to meet customer requirements in the buying, processing, and financing of tobacco, and on the price charged for products and services. We believe that we consistently meet our customers’ requirements and charge competitive prices. Since we rely upon a few significant customers, the consolidation or failure of any of these large customers, or a significant increase in their vertical integration, could contribute to a significant decrease in our sales of products and services.We compete for both the purchase and sale of leaf with smaller leaf tobacco suppliers in some of the markets where we conduct business. Some of these smaller leaf tobacco suppliers operate in more than one country. Since they typically provide little or no support to farmers, these leaf tobacco suppliers typically have lower overhead requirements than we do. Due to their lower cost structures, they often can offer prices on products and services that are lower than our prices. Some of our customers also directly source leaf tobacco from farmers to meet some of their raw material needs. Direct sourcing provides our customers with some qualities and quantities of leaf tobacco that they prefer not to use in their existing blends and that may be offered for sale. This competition for both the sale and purchase of leaf, both with smaller leaf tobacco suppliers and direct sourcing, could reduce the volume of the leaf we handle and could negatively impact our financial results.Our financial results can be significantly affected by changes in the balance of supply and demand for leaf tobacco.With respect to our leaf tobacco operations, our financial results can be significantly affected by changes in the overall balance of worldwide supply and demand for leaf tobacco. The demand for leaf tobacco, which is based upon customers’ expectations of their future requirements, can change from time to time depending upon factors affecting the demand for their products. Our customers’ expectations and their demand for leaf tobacco are influenced by a number of factors, including: •trends in the global consumption of cigarettes,•trends in consumption of cigars and other tobacco products, •trends in consumption of alternative tobacco products, such as electronic nicotine delivery systems ("ENDS") and non-combustible products,•levels of competition among our customers, and•regulatory and governmental factors.The world supply of leaf tobacco at any given time is a function of current tobacco production, inventories held by manufacturers, and the stocks of leaf tobacco held by leaf tobacco suppliers. Production of tobacco in a given year may be significantly affected by such factors as:•demographic shifts that change the number of farmers or the amount of land available to grow tobacco,•decisions by farmers to grow crops other than leaf tobacco,12•volume of annual tobacco plantings and yields realized by farmers,•availability of crop inputs, •weather and natural disasters, including any adverse weather conditions that may result from climate change, and•crop infestation and disease.Any significant change in these factors could cause a material imbalance in the supply of and demand for tobacco, which would affect our results of operations. Our financial results will vary according to tobacco growing conditions, customer requirements, and other factors. These factors may also limit the ability to accurately forecast our future performance and increase the risk of an investment in our common stock or other securities.Our financial results, particularly our year-over-year quarterly comparisons, may be significantly affected by variations in tobacco growing seasons and fluctuations in crop sizes. The timing of the cultivation and delivery of tobacco is dependent upon a number of factors, including weather and other natural events, and our processing schedules and results of operations can be significantly altered by these factors. In addition, the potential impact of climate change is uncertain and may vary by geographic region. The possible effects, as described in various public accounts, could include changes in rainfall patterns, water shortages, changing storm patterns and intensities, and changing temperature levels that could adversely impact our costs and business operations and the supply and demand for leaf tobacco. Our operations also rely on dependable and efficient transportation services. A disruption in transportation services, as a result of climate change or otherwise, may also significantly impact our results of operations.Further, the timing of customer orders and shipments may vary and may require us to keep tobacco in inventory and may also result in variations in quarterly and annual financial results. We base sales recognition on meeting our performance obligation under our contract with the customer, which generally occurs with the passage of ownership of the tobacco. Since individual shipments may represent significant amounts of revenue, our quarterly and annual financial results may vary significantly depending on the timing of needs and shipping instructions of our customers and the availability of transportation services. These fluctuations result in varying volumes and sales in given periods, which also reduce the comparability of financial results.Major shifts in customer requirements for leaf tobacco supply may significantly affect our operating results.If our customers significantly alter their requirements for tobacco volumes from certain regions, we may have to change our production facilities and alter our fixed asset base in certain origins. Permanent or long-term reduction in demand for tobacco from origins where we have operations may trigger restructuring and impairment charges. We may also need to make significant capital investments in other regions to develop the needed infrastructure to meet customer supply requirements.We may not be able to increase prices to fully offset inflationary and other pressures on costs, such as raw products, packing materials, labor, energy, and distribution costs.As a supplier of leaf tobacco and plant-based ingredients, we source our raw materials globally and rely on labor, energy, packing materials, and distribution resources to produce and distribute our products. Many of these materials and inputs are subject to price fluctuations from a number of factors, including but not limited to changes in crop sizes, crop qualities, crop disease, product scarcity, fertilizer costs, energy costs, labor costs, currency fluctuations, import and export requirements (including tariffs), adverse weather events, pandemic illness, political instability or military conflict, and other factors that may be beyond our control. We try to pass along to our customers some or all cost increases through increases in the sales prices of our products. To the extent that price increases are not sufficient to offset the cost increases or we experience reductions in sales volumes, our business results and financial condition may be adversely affected.Weather and other conditions can affect the marketability of our products.Tobacco and other agricultural crops are subject to vagaries of weather and the environment that can, in some cases, change the quality or size of the crops. Severe weather conditions may occur with higher frequency or may be less predictable in the future due to the effects of climate change. If a weather event or other event is particularly severe, such as a volcanic eruption, major drought, hurricane, cyclone, typhoon, windstorm, or extreme temperatures or precipitation, the affected crop could be destroyed or damaged to an extent that it would be less desirable to our customers, which would result in a reduction in operating results. If such an event is also widespread, it could affect our ability to acquire the quantity of tobacco or plant-based ingredients required by our customers or could prevent or impair our ability to process or ship products as planned. In addition, other factors can affect the marketability of our products, including, among other things, the presence of excess residues of crop protection agents or non-crop related materials. A significant event impacting the condition or quality of a large amount of any of the crops that we buy could make it difficult for us to sell these products or to fill customers’ orders.13Legal, regulatory, or other market measures to address climate change could negatively affect our business operations.The increasing concern over climate change may result in more regional, federal, foreign and/or global legal and regulatory requirements to reduce or mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases. In the event that such regulation is enacted and is more aggressive than the sustainability measures that we and our suppliers are currently undertaking to monitor our emissions and improve energy and resource efficiency, we may experience significant increases in our material and production costs. Our suppliers would likely pass all or a portion of their increased costs along to us. We may not be able to pass all resulting cost increases to our customers. Furthermore, we may be required to make additional investments of capital to maintain compliance with new laws and regulations. As a result, climate change or increased concern over climate change could negatively affect our business or operations.Our plant-based ingredients business is subject to industry-specific risks which could adversely affect our operating results.Our plant-based ingredients business is subject to risks posed by food spoilage or food contamination; shifting consumer preferences; federal, state, and local food processing regulations; product tampering; and product liability claims. If one or more of these risks were to materialize, our revenues and operating results could be adversely affected, and our reputation might be damaged.Disruption of our supply chain for our plant-based ingredients operations could adversely affect our business.Damages or disruption to raw material supplies or our manufacturing or distribution capabilities due to weather, climate change, natural disaster, fire, terrorism, cyber-attack, pandemics, governmental restrictions or mandates, strikes, import/export restrictions, political instability or military conflict, or other factors could impair our ability to produce or sell our plant-based ingredients products. Many of our plant-based ingredients product lines are manufactured at a single location or require raw materials that are currently sourced from a limited number of regions. The failure of third parties on which we rely, including those third parties who supply our raw materials, packaging, capital equipment and other necessary operation materials, to meet their obligations to us, or significant disruptions in their ability to do so, may negatively impact our operations, as well as require additional resources to restore our supply chain.We may not be successful in pursuing strategic investments or acquisitions or realize the expected benefits of those transactions because of integration difficulties and other challenges.While we may identify opportunities for acquisitions and investments to support our growth strategy, as well as divestiture opportunities, our due diligence examinations and positions that we may take with respect to appropriate valuations for acquisitions and divestitures and other transaction terms and conditions may hinder our ability to successfully complete business transactions to achieve our strategic goals. We compete with other acquisitive entities for suitable acquisition candidates. This competition may increase the price for acquisitions and reduce the number of acquisition candidates available to us. As a result, our ability to acquire businesses in the future, and to acquire such businesses on favorable terms, may be limited. Our ability to realize the anticipated benefits from acquisitions will depend, in part, on successfully integrating each business with our Company as well as improving operating performance and profitability through our management efforts and capital investments. The risks to a successful integration and improvement of operating performance and profitability include, among others, failure to implement our business plan, unanticipated issues in integrating operations with ours, unanticipated changes in laws and regulations, regulatory, environmental and permitting issues, unfavorable customer reactions, the effect on our internal controls and compliance with the regulatory requirements under the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, and difficulties in fully identifying and evaluating potential liabilities, risks and operating issues. In order to finance such acquisitions, we may need to obtain additional funds either through public or private financings, including bank and other secured and unsecured borrowings and the issuance of debt or equity securities. There can be no assurance that such financings would be available to us on reasonable terms or that any future issuances of securities in connection with acquisitions will not be dilutive to our shareholders. The occurrence of any of these events may adversely affect our expected benefits of any acquisitions and may have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.We may be adversely impacted if our information technology systems fail to perform adequately, including with respect to cybersecurity issues.The efficient operation of our business depends on our information technology systems. We rely on our information technology systems to effectively manage our business data, communications, supply chain, order entry and fulfillment, and other business processes. The failure of our information technology systems (including those provided to us by third parties) to perform as we anticipate could disrupt our business and affect our results of operations.In addition, our information technology systems may be vulnerable to damage or interruption from circumstances beyond our control, including fire, natural disasters, systems failures, security breaches or intrusions (including theft of confidential data), and viruses. Cyber-attacks, data breaches or other breaches of our information security systems may cause equipment failures or disruptions to our operations. Our inability to operate our networks and security information systems as a result of such events, even for a short period of time, may result in significant expenses or operating disruptions. If we are unable to prevent physical and electronic break-ins, cyber-attacks and other information security breaches, we may suffer financial and 14reputational damage, be subject to litigation, or incur remediation costs or penalties because of the unauthorized disclosure of confidential information belonging to us or to our partners, customers, suppliers, or employees. We have invested and expect to continue to invest in technology security initiatives, information technology risk management, and disaster recovery plans. The cost and operational consequences of implementing, maintaining, and enhancing further data or system protection measures could increase significantly to overcome increasingly frequent, complex, and sophisticated cyber threats. Our efforts to deter, identify, mitigate, or eliminate future cyber threats may require significant additional expense and may not be successful.The inability for us to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with our workforce, including key personnel, could negatively impact our business and our profitability.Our future success depends on our ability to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with qualified personnel, particularly those who have extensive expertise in leaf tobacco or plant-based ingredients operations and who may also have long service with our Company. We have such personnel in our senior executive leadership as well as in other key areas throughout our U.S. and international operations such as procurement, manufacturing, and sales, all of which are critical to our future growth and profitability. Changes in labor markets and other socioeconomic and demographic changes have increased the competition for hiring and retaining talent. As a result of this competition, we may be unable to continue to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with suitably qualified individuals at acceptable compensation levels who have the managerial, operational, and technical knowledge and experience to meet our needs. Furthermore, the failure to execute on internal succession plans or to effectively transfer knowledge from exiting employees to others in the organization could adversely affect our business and results of operations. Even if we succeed in hiring new personnel to fill vacancies, lengthy training and orientation periods might be required before new employees are able to achieve necessary productivity levels. Any failure by us to attract, develop, retain, motivate, and maintain good relationships with qualified individuals could adversely affect our business and results of operations.We are dependent on a seasonal workforce to meet our operational needs.Our operations depend in part on our ability to attract, train, motivate and retain qualified employees, many of whom are seasonal employees. We seek to manage seasonal wages and the timing of the hiring process to ensure the appropriate workforce is in place for peak and low seasons. Many of our operations are located in rural communities that may not have sufficient labor pools. If we are unable to hire sufficient personnel or successfully manage our seasonal workforce needs, we may not be able to meet our operational needs and our financial results could be negatively impacted.Epidemics, pandemics or similar widespread public health concerns could adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and demand for our products and services.Epidemics, pandemics or similar public health concerns could cause a widespread health crisis and significantly disrupt the U.S. and global economies, markets and supply chains. The ultimate impact of any future pandemic or disease outbreak on our business, financial condition, results of operations and the demand for our products and services in the future is uncertain, and it is impossible to predict whether any impacts we have experienced to date would continue or worsen in the future. The extent to which any pandemic or disease outbreak will impact our business, financial condition, results of operations, and demand for our products and services will depend on future developments including the ongoing geographic spread of the health crisis, the impact of disease mutations, the severity and duration of the health crisis, and the type and duration of actions that may be taken by various governmental authorities in response to the pandemic or disease outbreak and the impact on the U.S. and the global economies, markets, and supply chains. Adverse public health developments in countries and states where we operate, therefore, could have a material and adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, and the demand for our products and services. These effects could include a negative impact on the availability of our employees, temporary closures of our facilities or the facilities of our business partners, customers, suppliers, third party service providers or other vendors, and the interruption of domestic and global supply chains, distribution channels, liquidity and capital markets. Our business continuity plans and other safeguards, however, may not be effective to mitigate the results of epidemics, pandemics, or similar widespread health concerns. Regulatory and Governmental FactorsGovernment efforts to regulate the production and consumption of tobacco products could have a significant impact on the businesses of our leaf tobacco customers, which would, in turn, affect our results of operations.Governments continue their efforts to reduce the consumption of tobacco products globally by advancing regulations that, among other things, restrict or prohibit tobacco product use, advertising and promotion, increase taxes on tobacco products, limit nicotine levels in tobacco products, or eliminate the use of characterizing flavors.A number of such measures are included in the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (“FCTC”), which entered into force on February 27, 2005, and currently has 183 Parties to the Convention. The Conference of the Parties (“COP”), 15which is the governing body of the WHO FCTC and is comprised of all Parties to the Convention, meets every two years to consider amendments to the agreement and track progress in the implementation of the treaty’s 38 articles. It is not possible to predict how the signatories to the FCTC may choose to fulfill their obligations or the manner or the pace with which they may implement the FCTC articles, and they may take actions that could restrict or prohibit tobacco usage that could materially affect our business and our results of operations. We also cannot predict the extent or speed at which the efforts of governments or non-governmental agencies to reduce tobacco consumption might affect the business of our primary customers. However, a significant decrease in worldwide tobacco consumption brought about by existing or future laws and regulations would reduce demand for tobacco products and could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.Government actions can have a significant effect on the sourcing of leaf tobacco. If some of the current efforts are successful, we could have increased barriers in meeting our customers’ requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations.A variety of government actions can have a significant effect on the sourcing and production of leaf tobacco. If some of the current proposed efforts are successful, we could have increased barriers to meeting our customers’ requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations.The WHO, through the FCTC, has specifically issued policy options and recommendations to promote crop diversification initiatives and alternatives to growing leaf tobacco in countries whose economies depend upon tobacco production. If certain countries were to follow these policy recommendations and seek to eliminate or significantly reduce leaf tobacco production, we could encounter difficulty in sourcing leaf tobacco from these regions to fill customer requirements, which could have an adverse effect on our results of operations.Certain recommendations by the WHO, through the FCTC, may also cause shifts in customer usage of certain styles of tobacco. In countries such as Canada and Brazil and in the European Union, efforts have been taken to eliminate certain ingredients from the manufacturing process for tobacco products. The FCTC and national governments have also discussed formulating a strategy to place limitations on the level of nicotine allowed in tobacco and tobacco smoke. Such decisions could cause a change in requirements for certain styles of tobacco in particular countries. Shifts in customer demand from one type of tobacco to another could create sourcing challenges as requirements move from one origin to another.Regulations impacting our customers that change the requirements for leaf tobacco or restrict their ability to sell their products would inherently impact our business. We have established programs that begin at the farm level to assist our customers’ collection of raw material information to support leaf traceability and customer testing requirements, including the identification of nicotine levels. Additionally, given our global presence, we also can source different types and styles of tobacco for our customers should their needs change due to regulation. Despite our programs, the extent to which governmental actions will impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and demand for our products and services will depend on future developments, which are highly uncertain and cannot be predicted.Continuous changes in bilateral, multilateral, and international trade agreements also have the potential to disrupt or impact Universal operations. For example, some trade proposals have included provisions that could effectively allow governments to regulate tobacco products differently than other products. These carve outs could negatively impact the industry and impact requirements for leaf tobacco.We conduct a significant portion of our operations internationally, so political and economic uncertainties in particular countries could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations.Our international operations are subject to uncertainties and risks relating to the political stability of certain foreign governments, principally in developing countries and emerging markets, as well as to the effects of changes in the trade policies and economic regulations of foreign governments. These uncertainties and risks, which include undeveloped or antiquated commercial law, the expropriation, indigenization, or nationalization of assets, and the authority to revoke or refuse to renew business licenses and work permits, may adversely impact our ability to effectively manage our operations in those countries. We have substantial capital investments in South America and Africa, and the performance of our operations in those regions can materially affect our earnings. Our customers’ operations are subject to similar uncertainties and risks relating to the political stability of the foreign governments in the countries in which their operations are located. Political or economic instability in those countries may impede or disrupt our ability to meet our customers’ needs in or source raw materials from those impacted countries. If the political situation in any of the countries where we conduct business were to deteriorate significantly, our ability to recover assets located there could be impaired. To the extent that we do not replace any lost volumes of leaf tobacco with leaf tobacco from other sources, or we incur increased costs related to such replacement, our financial condition or results of operations, or both, would suffer. In addition, if we are unable to supply leaf tobacco to our customers’ locations or otherwise 16conduct business with our customers due to political stability or interference in their countries of operation, or if we incur increased cost related to such challenges, our performance and results of operations could suffer.Increasing scrutiny and changing expectations from governments, as well as other stakeholders such as investors and customers, with respect to our ESG considerations may impose additional costs on us or expose us to additional risks.Governments, the non-governmental community, and industry increasingly understand the importance of implementing comprehensive environmental, labor, and governance practices. Our commitment to sustainability remains at the core of our business, and we continue to implement what we believe are responsible ESG practices. Government regulations, however, could result in new or more stringent forms of ESG oversight and disclosures. These may lead to increased expenditures for environmental controls, land use restrictions, reporting, and other conditions which could have an adverse effect on our performance and results of operations.In addition, a number of governments are considering due diligence procedures to ensure strict compliance with environmental, labor, and government regulations. The European Union has recently advanced broad due diligence reporting requirements for all industries operating within Europe. The United States has called for a broader and more robust approach to labor compliance in foreign jurisdictions, which could include some of our strategic origins. Due to general uncertainty regarding the timing, content, and extent of any such regulatory changes in the United States or abroad, we cannot predict the impact, if any, that these changes could have to our business, financial condition, and results of operations.Changes in tax laws in the countries where we do business may adversely affect our results of operations.We operate in the United States and many foreign countries and are subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect our earnings, as can the resolution of various pending and contested tax issues. For example, numerous foreign jurisdictions in which we operate have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation to adopt the Global Anti-Base Erosion ("Pillar Two") model rules issued by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (the “OECD”). For those jurisdictions that have legislation with an effective enactment date of January 1, 2024, these rules will apply beginning with our fiscal year 2025 reporting year. We are evaluating the impact of these new rules and will continue to monitor potential and enacted tax changes in the countries in which we operate. The impact of the changes in domestic and international tax rules and regulations could have a material effect on our effective tax rate.In most jurisdictions, we regularly have audits and examinations by the designated tax authorities, and additional tax assessments are common. We believe that we comply with applicable tax laws in the jurisdictions where we operate, and we vigorously contest all significant tax assessments where we believe we comply with the tax laws. Financial FactorsFailure of our customers or suppliers to repay extensions of credit could materially impact our results of operations.In our tobacco operations, we extend credit to both suppliers and customers. A significant bad debt provision related to amounts due could adversely affect our results of operations. In addition, crop advances to leaf tobacco farmers are generally secured by the farmers’ agreement to deliver green tobacco. In the event of crop failure, delivery failure, or permanent reductions in crop sizes, full recovery of advances may never be realized, or otherwise could be delayed until future crops are delivered. See Notes 1 and 16 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information on these extensions of credit. Fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates may affect our results of operations.We account for most of our tobacco operations and all of our ingredients companies using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. The international tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars, and we finance most of our tobacco operations in U.S. dollars. Although this generally limits foreign exchange risk to the economic risk that is related to leaf purchase and production costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country, significant currency movements could materially impact our results of operations. Changes in exchange rates can make a particular leaf tobacco crop more or less expensive in U.S. dollar terms. If a particular crop is viewed as expensive in U.S. dollar terms, it may be less attractive in the world market. This could negatively affect the profitability of that crop and our results of operations. In tobacco markets that are primarily domestic, the local currency is the functional currency. In addition, the local currency is the functional currency in other leaf tobacco markets, such as Western Europe, where export sales have been denominated primarily in local currencies. In these markets, reported earnings are affected by the translation of the local currency into the U.S. dollar. See Item 7A, “Qualitative and Quantitative Disclosure About Market Risk” for additional discussion related to foreign currency exchange risk.Our purchases of tobacco are generally made in local currency, and we also provide farmer advances that are denominated in the local currency. We account for currency remeasurement gains or losses on those advances as period costs, and they are usually accompanied by offsetting increases or decreases in the purchase cost of tobacco, which is priced in the local currency. The effect of differences in the cost of tobacco is generally not realized in our earnings until the tobacco is sold, which often occurs in a quarter or fiscal year subsequent to the recognition of the related remeasurement gains or losses. The difference in timing could affect our profitability in a given quarter or fiscal year. 17We have used currency hedging strategies to reduce our foreign currency exchange rate risks in some markets. In addition, where we source tobacco in countries with illiquid or nonexistent forward foreign exchange markets, we often manage our foreign exchange risk by matching funding for tobacco inventory purchases with the currency of sale and by minimizing our net investment in these countries. To the extent that we have net monetary assets or liabilities in local currency, and those balances are not hedged, we may have currency remeasurement gains or losses that will affect our results of operations. Changes in interest rates may affect our results of operations.We generally use both fixed and floating interest rate debt to finance our operations. Changes in market interest rates expose us to changes in cash flows for floating rate instruments and to changes in fair value for fixed rate instruments. We normally maintain a proportion of our debt in both variable and fixed interest rates to manage this exposure, and from time to time we may enter hedge agreements to swap the interest rates. In addition, our customers may pay market rates of interest for leaf tobacco inventory purchased on order, which could mitigate a portion of the floating interest rate exposure on short-term borrowings. To the extent we are unable to match these interest rates, a decrease in interest rates could increase our net financing costs. We also periodically have large cash balances and may receive deposits from tobacco customers, both of which we use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, reducing our financing needs. Decreases in short-term interest rates could reduce the income we derive from those investments. Changes in interest rates also affect expenses related to our defined benefit pension plan, as described below. Low investment performance by our defined benefit pension plan assets and changes in pension plan valuation assumptions may increase our pension expense and may require us to fund a larger portion of our pension obligations, thus diverting funds from other potential uses. We sponsor domestic defined benefit pension plans that cover certain eligible employees. Our results of operations may be positively or negatively affected by the amount of expense we record for these plans. U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”) require that we calculate expense for the plans using actuarial valuations. These valuations reflect assumptions about financial market and other economic conditions that may change based on changes in key economic indicators. The most significant year-end assumptions we used to estimate pension expense for fiscal year 2024 were the discount rate, the expected long-term rate of return on plan assets, and the mortality rates. In addition, we are required to make an annual measurement of plan assets and liabilities, which may result in a significant change to shareholders’ equity through a reduction or increase to the “Pension and other postretirement benefit plans” component of Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss. At the end of fiscal year 2024, the projected benefit obligation ("PBO") of our qualified U.S. pension plan was $205 million and plan assets were $215 million. For a discussion regarding how our financial statements can be affected by pension plan valuation assumptions, see “Critical Accounting Estimates – Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans” in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in Item 7 and in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Although GAAP expense and pension funding contributions are not directly related, key economic factors that affect GAAP expense can also affect the amount of cash we are required to contribute to our pension plans under requirements of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act (“ERISA”). Failure to achieve expected returns on plan assets could also result in an increase in the amount of cash we would be required to contribute to our pension plans. In order to maintain or improve the funded status of our plans, we may also choose to contribute more cash to our plans than required by ERISA regulations.Item 1B. Unresolved Staff CommentsNone Item 1C. CybersecurityCybersecurity Risk Management and StrategyCybersecurity risks are considered within our broader enterprise risk management (“ERM”) framework as part of our overall risk assessment process. We maintain a comprehensive Information Security Program and controls that are designed to assess, identify, manage, contain, and recover from material cybersecurity risks. The Information Security Program is also designed to identify emerging cybersecurity and information security risks and apply safeguards to the Company, our assets, customer, and employee data. The Information Security Program also addresses cybersecurity risks associated with our use of third-party service providers through systems and processes that are designed to assess, identify, and reduce the potential likelihood and impact of a cybersecurity incident at our third-party service providers. The Information Security Program is based on Center for Internet Security (“CIS”) Controls, a cybersecurity framework that is acknowledged worldwide and is designed to comply with applicable laws and guidelines. We also have adopted a cybersecurity incident response and recovery plan to enable us to properly respond to cybersecurity incidents that may affect the function and security of the Company, our IT assets, customer and employee data, information resources, and business operations. We have adopted cyber and data security policies, which address matters including user access, incident response, third-party compliance, personal devices, and data privacy. These policies are reviewed 18annually, including by our independent auditor. We also maintain insurance covering certain costs that may be incurred in connection with cybersecurity incidents, should they occur. Our Information Security Program is further supported by regular educational and awareness training for employees. The training includes an annual assessment, focused on security, appropriate use, incident reporting, and social engineering, as well as multiple courses per year on global security trends and emerging risks. We also provide employees with educational materials about emerging cybersecurity threats and update employees when our information security policies are amended. We regularly evaluate our Information Security Program based on software vendor assessments and reports, insurance underwriter evaluations, and internal and external audits, including, without limitation, customer audits. We also periodically engage third parties to review the effectiveness of its Information Security Program. To date, these engagements have included third-party penetration testing, risk identification, and a Fiscal Year 2023 comprehensive evaluation of the maturity of our Information Security Program. Management has determined that no cybersecurity incidents that we have experienced to date have resulted in, or are reasonably likely to result in, a material impact to its financial condition, results of operations, or business strategy. For additional information on risks from cybersecurity threats and potential related impacts on the Company, please see Item 1A – Risk Factors.Cybersecurity Governance Board OversightThe Board of Directors is ultimately responsible for our Information Security Program, and it has delegated to the Audit Committee primary oversight responsibility for this program. The Audit Committee periodically reviews the program and information security, cybersecurity, and technology risks. At least quarterly, the Audit Committee reviews and discusses with management and our senior information officers the Information Security Program, including the structure and function of the program and any enhancements made to the program as a result of third-party reviews or an identified security risk. The Audit Committee regularly briefs the Board on these discussions. In addition, our Incident Response Policy outlines procedures pursuant to which cybersecurity incidents or risks are escalated within the Company, and, as applicable, timely reported to the Audit Committee and Board.Management OversightThe Information Security Program is overseen by our Information Security Steering Team, which provides cross-functional program oversight and maintenance and includes members from the Information Technology, Internal Audit, Legal, and Risk Management Departments. This team is also responsible for developing, implementing, and maintaining our information security policies and procedures.Our Chief Information Officer and Corporate Director of Information Technology Security, in coordination with our Information Technology Department and other appropriate personnel, are responsible for assessing and managing our risks from cybersecurity threats. The Chief Information Officer has served in various roles in information technology and information security for over 25 years, has been in his current role for more than 10 years, and holds a degree in Computer Science. The Corporate Director of Information Technology Security has served in various roles in information technology and information security for over 30 years, has been in his current role for more than 15 years, and has been trained in multiple cybersecurity subjects. A third-party security operations center, which is in operation at all times, is responsible for monitoring all logs, events, and alerts from our Endpoint Detection & Response (“EDR”) platforms and cloud deployed services. This third-party also quarantines any systems displaying suspicious behavior for automatic or approved remediation. Our Information Technology Department maintains regular oversight of this third-party’s actions through the monitoring of alerts displayed on the third-party’s threat management dashboard to identify and respond to any irregularities that could be associated with threats. Significant threats are promptly reported to our Information Security Steering Team, who will assess the respective threat, with the help of external advisers as necessary, and initiate a plan to address it.  The Information Security Steering Team will advise the General Counsel and Audit Committee of the threat as well as other third parties or authorities who are required to be notified pursuant to applicable law or contract.19Item 2.      PropertiesWe own the following significant properties:LocationPrincipal UseBuilding Area(Square Feet)Tobacco Operations:United StatesNash County, North CarolinaFactory and storages1,323,000 Lancaster, PennsylvaniaFactory and storages793,000 BrazilSanta CruzFactory and storages2,386,000 MalawiLilongweFactory and storages942,000 MozambiqueTeteFactory and storages770,000 PhilippinesAgoo, La UnionFactory and storages770,000 Reina Mercedes, IsabelaFactory and storages759,000 ZimbabweHarare (1) Factory and storages1,445,000 Ingredients Operations:United StatesMomence, IllinoisFactory and storages407,000 Grandview, WashingtonFactory and storages125,000 Prosser, WashingtonFactory and storages335,000 Lancaster, PennsylvaniaFactory and storages191,000 (1)Owned by an unconsolidated subsidiary.We lease headquarters office space of about 50,000 square feet at 9201 Forest Hill Avenue in Richmond, Virginia, which we believe is adequate for our current needs. 20Tobacco OperationsOur tobacco business involves, among other things, storing and processing green tobacco and storing processed tobacco. We operate processing facilities in major tobacco growing areas. In addition, we require tobacco storage facilities that are in close proximity to the processing facilities. We own most of the tobacco storage facilities, but we lease additional space as needs arise. We believe that the properties currently utilized in our tobacco operations are maintained in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for our purposes at our current volumes. In addition to our significant properties listed above, we own other processing facilities in the following countries: Germany, Guatemala, Italy, the Netherlands, Poland, and the United States. In addition, we have an ownership interest in a processing plant in Mexico and have access to processing facilities in other areas, such as India, the People’s Republic of China, and the Republic of South Africa. Socotab L.L.C., an oriental tobacco joint venture in which we own a noncontrolling interest, owns tobacco processing plants in Bulgaria, the Republic of North Macedonia, and Turkey. Except for the Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility, the tobacco facilities described above are engaged primarily in processing tobaccos used by manufacturers in the production of cigarettes. The Lancaster facility, as well as facilities in Brazil, the Dominican Republic, Indonesia, and Paraguay, process tobaccos used in making cigar, pipe, and smokeless products, as well as components of certain “roll-your-own” products.Ingredients OperationsOur ingredients business involves, among other things, storing and processing both fresh and dehydrated plant-based ingredients and storing processed finished goods. We operate processing facilities in three U.S. locations. We believe that the properties currently utilized in our ingredients operations are maintained in good operating condition and are suitable and adequate for current level of business.Item 3.   Legal Proceedings Some of our subsidiaries are involved in other litigation or legal matters incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, we are vigorously defending the matters and do not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to our current expectation, the effect on our results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material. For additional information regarding litigation and other legal matters to which we are a party, see Note 16 – Commitments, Contingencies, and Other Matters to our accompanying consolidated financial statements, which are incorporated by reference into this Item.Item 4.   Mine Safety Disclosures Not applicable.Item 4a. Information about Executive OfficersInformation about our executive officers is incorporated by reference from Part III, Item 10 of this Form 10-K.21PART IIItem 5.    Market for Registrant’s Common Equity, Related Stockholder Matters and Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities Common Equity Our common stock is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “UVV.” Our current dividend policy anticipates the payment of quarterly dividends in the future. However, the declaration and payment of dividends to holders of common stock is at the discretion of the Board of Directors and will be dependent upon our future earnings, financial condition, and capital requirements. Under certain of our credit facilities, we must meet financial covenants relating to minimum tangible net worth and maximum levels of debt. If we were not in compliance with them, these financial covenants could restrict our ability to pay dividends. We were in compliance with all such covenants at March 31, 2024. At May 21, 2024, there were 831 holders of record of our common stock. See Notes 9 and 14 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for more information on debt covenants and equity securities.Purchases of Equity SecuritiesAs indicated in the following table, we did not repurchase shares of our common stock during the three-month period ended March 31, 2024. Common StockPeriod (1)Total Number of Shares RepurchasedAveragePrice PaidPer Share (2)Total Number of Shares Repurchased as Part of Publicly Announced Plans or Programs (3)Dollar Value of Shares that May Yet Be Purchased Under the Plans or Programs (3)January 1-31, 2024— $— — $95,255,674 February 1-29, 2024— — — 95,255,674 March 1-31, 2024— — — 95,255,674 Total— $— — $95,255,674 (1)Repurchases are based on the date the shares were traded. This presentation differs from the consolidated statement of cash flows, where the cost of share repurchases is based on the date the transactions were settled.(2)Amounts listed for average price paid per share include broker commissions paid in the transactions.(3)A stock repurchase plan, which was authorized by our Board of Directors, became effective and was publicly announced on November 3, 2022. This stock repurchase plan authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million in common and/or preferred stock in open market or privately negotiated transactions through November 15, 2024 or when we have exhausted the funds authorized for the program, subject to market conditions and other factors.Item 6.   [Reserved]None.22Item 7.  Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations The following discussion and analysis of financial condition and results of operations is provided to enhance the understanding of, and should be read in conjunction with, Part I, Item 1, “Business” and Item 8, “Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.”  For information on risks and uncertainties related to our business that may make past performance not indicative of future results, or cause actual results to differ materially from any forward-looking statements, see “General,” and Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors.”OVERVIEWUniversal Corporation is a global business-to-business agriproducts company with over 100 years of experience supplying products and innovative solutions to meet our customers’ evolving needs. With operations in over 30 countries on five continents, we believe we are uniquely positioned to leverage our worldwide network to access a diverse, reliable supply of plant-based materials. This presence, combined with our supply chain expertise, integrated processing capabilities, and commitment to sustainability, enables us to deliver high-quality, customizable, and traceable value-added agriproducts essential to our customers’ success.We have positioned our Company for long-term success by maximizing opportunities in the leaf tobacco business and investing in the growth of our plant-based ingredients platform. In fiscal year 2024, we continued to enhance and increase the capabilities across our two segments: Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. •Our Tobacco Operations maintained its position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, and primarily focuses on procuring and processing flue-cured, burley, dark air-cured, and oriental leaf tobacco for consumer product manufacturers.•Our Ingredients Operations specializes in sourcing and processing vegetable and fruit ingredients, flavorings, and botanical extracts for consumer packaged goods manufacturers, retailers, and food and beverage companies. In fiscal year 2024, we continued our investments in our platform, including in our commercial sales team, research and development function, and ongoing construction of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility expansion project. RESULTS OF OPERATIONSAmounts described as net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per diluted share in the following discussion are attributable to Universal Corporation and exclude earnings related to non-controlling interests in subsidiaries. Adjusted operating income (loss), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share, and the total for segment operating income (loss) referred to in this discussion are non-GAAP financial measures. These measures are not financial measures calculated in accordance with GAAP and should not be considered as substitutes for operating income (loss), net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, diluted earnings (loss) per share, cash from operating activities or any other operating or financial performance measure calculated in accordance with GAAP, and may not be comparable to similarly-titled measures reported by other companies. A reconciliation of adjusted operating income (loss) to consolidated operating (income), adjusted net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation to consolidated net income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation and adjusted diluted earnings (loss) per share to diluted earnings (loss) per share are provided in Other Items below. In addition, we have provided a reconciliation of the total for segment operating income (loss) to consolidated operating income (loss) in Note 17. "Operating Segments" to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. Management evaluates the consolidated Company and segment performance excluding certain significant charges or credits. We believe these non-GAAP financial measures, which exclude items that we believe are not indicative of our core operating results, provide investors with important information that is useful in understanding our business results and trends.Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023Executive SummaryUniversal Corporation had a positive finish to a strong fiscal year 2024 with notable financial and operational performance in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Fiscal year 2024 was an exceptional year for our tobacco business, as a favorable product mix, strong customer demand, and the sale of larger crops in Africa, compared to fiscal year 2023, drove our strong operating results. Fiscal year 2024 was also a significant building year for our ingredients business. We made important progress with our state-of-the-art expansion project, and we continued to invest in Universal Ingredients’ commercial sales team and research and development function. We also made advances in fiscal year 2024 towards our sustainability goals by entering agreements that move us closer to our operational emissions targets and by making continued progress towards our social supply chain targets.Turning to current tobacco market conditions, while we expect leaf tobacco supply and demand to return to a more balanced position over time, we are currently seeing very tight tobacco supply and elevated green tobacco prices. We continue to leverage our diverse global footprint and financial flexibility to manage these conditions and to execute our tobacco strategies. For example, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 and into the first quarter of fiscal year 2025, we accelerated buying in Brazil to ensure access to the tobacco we need for our customers. This accelerated buying, combined with higher green tobacco 23prices, resulted in increased use of working capital and higher debt levels at March 31, 2024. We expect most of the net impact on working capital from our accelerated buying strategy to naturally unwind over the next two years. In addition, we remain committed to supporting our tobacco business while efficiently managing working capital and reducing leverage levels.In our ingredients business, the expansion project at our Lancaster manufacturing facility is progressing as expected, and we anticipate the facility to be fully operational in the second half of fiscal year 2025. We are excited about this unique project as it will significantly expand our processing capabilities, including aseptic packaging, and enable us to considerably grow our product portfolio and supply existing and new customers with additional products. This project is expected to contribute meaningfully to the results of our Ingredients Operations segment in fiscal year 2026.Our vision for our ingredients business is to be a provider of a complete, innovative suite of solutions and value-add products. We believe our investments in our Universal Ingredients platform’s commercial sales team and research and development function support our vision and will deliver value over time. During fiscal year 2024, we entered several new partnerships to supply innovative products that capitalize on our newly developed capabilities and portfolio across our three ingredients companies. Those new customer relationships and new product sales benefited our ingredients business by helping offset lower revenues from sales in fiscal year 2024 due to inventory recalibrations by existing customers and lower sales prices due to lower raw material prices. Earnings in fiscal year 2024, however, were below expectations due to higher costs related to our infrastructure investments, lower new crop raw material prices, inventory write-downs, and customer inventory recalibrations. We expect our new product sales to increase and contribute to our future earnings. Going into fiscal year 2025, we remain steadfast in executing our strategy of maximizing tobacco opportunities while growing the ingredients business. We believe our leading market position, global footprint, and proven sustainability practices will continue to enable us to generate stable cash flow from our tobacco business. Universal Ingredients is also well positioned with its fully built platform to deliver high-quality, innovative products that drive top line growth, margin expansion, and earnings stability.FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTSFiscal Year Ended March 31,Change(in millions of dollars, except per share data)20242023$%Consolidated ResultsSales and other operating revenue$2,748.6 $2,569.8 $178.7 7 %Cost of goods sold 2,212.5 2,111.5 100.9 5 %Gross profit margin 19.50 %17.83 %---167 bpsSelling, general and administrative expenses310.6 277.2 33.4 12 %Restructuring and impairment costs3.5 — 3.5 100 %Operating income (as reported)222.0 181.1 40.9 23 %Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)*230.3 181.1 49.2 27 %Diluted earnings per share (as reported)4.78 4.97 (0.19)(4)%Adjusted diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)*5.08 3.77 1.31 35 %Segment ResultsTobacco operations sales and other operating revenues$2,438.8 $2,258.3 $180.5 8 %Tobacco operations operating income222.4 172.9 49.5 29 %Ingredients operations sales and other operating revenues309.8 311.6 (1.8)(1)%Ingredients operations operating income3.9 10.6 (6.6)(63)%*See Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial Measures in Other Items below.Net income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, was $119.6 million, or $4.78 per diluted share, compared with $124.1 million, or $4.97 per diluted share, for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Excluding certain non-recurring items, as detailed in Other Items below, adjusted net income increased by $33.0 million and adjusted diluted earnings per share increased by $1.31 for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, compared to the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. Operating income for fiscal year 2024 was $222.0 million, an increase of $40.9 million, compared to operating income of $181.1 million for fiscal year 2023. Adjusted operating income, detailed in Other Items below, was $230.3 million, an increase of $49.2 million for fiscal year 2024, as compared to fiscal year 2023.Consolidated revenues increased by $178.7 million to $2.7 billion for fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023. The increase was largely due to higher tobacco sales prices, which more than offset lower tobacco sales volumes, as well as an improved product mix in the Tobacco Operations segment. 24Tobacco OperationsRevenues for the Tobacco Operations segment were $2.4 billion for fiscal year 2024, up $180.5 million compared to fiscal year 2023, on higher tobacco sales prices and a favorable product mix, partially offset by lower tobacco sales volumes.Operating income for the Tobacco Operations segment increased by $49.5 million to $222.4 million for fiscal year 2024, compared with fiscal year 2023. Tobacco Operations segment operating income was up largely on higher tobacco sales prices and a more favorable product mix, partially offset by lower tobacco sales volumes. In fiscal year 2023, a large amount of lower margin carryover tobacco crops was shipped. Larger African crops positively impacted the results for the Tobacco Operations segment in fiscal year 2024. Carryover crop shipments from South America were significantly lower in fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023. In fiscal year 2024, our operations in Asia saw an improved product mix, compared to fiscal year 2023. Selling, general, and administrative expenses for the Tobacco Operations segment were higher in fiscal year 2024, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily due to higher incentive compensation and benefit costs, as well as unfavorable foreign currency comparisons and costs related to a value-added tax settlement program in Brazil. Ingredients OperationsRevenues for the Ingredients Operations segment of $309.8 million for fiscal year 2024 were down $1.8 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, as the sales of new products partially offset lower sales prices and volumes on core products.Operating income for the Ingredients Operations segment was $4.0 million for fiscal year 2024 compared to $10.6 million for fiscal year 2023. Results for the Ingredients Operations segment for fiscal year 2024 were negatively impacted by higher costs related to infrastructure investments in the ingredients platform, lower new crop raw material prices, and inventory write-downs, partially offset by margins from the sale of new products. Customer inventory recalibrations mainly in the first half of the fiscal year 2024 also negatively impacted fiscal year 2024. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, selling, general, and administrative expenses were higher, compared to the same periods in fiscal year 2023, due to higher compensation and other costs largely related to our investment in expanding commercial and research and development capabilities. Other ItemsCost of goods sold in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, increased by 5% to $2.2 billion, compared with the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, largely due to higher green tobacco costs. Selling, general, and administrative costs for fiscal year 2024 increased by $33.4 million to $310.6 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily due to higher incentive compensation costs as well as unfavorable foreign currency comparisons and costs related to a value-added tax settlement program in Brazil. Interest expense for fiscal year 2024 increased by $17.0 million to $66.3 million, compared to fiscal year 2023, primarily on higher interest rates.  For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, our effective tax rate on pre-tax income was 19.0%. For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, our effective tax rate on pre-tax income was 8.3%. In fiscal year 2023, one of our subsidiaries in Brazil received a favorable final judgement from the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice. The lawsuit asserted certain tax credits on exported goods should be excluded from taxable income. The Brazilian revenue authority asserted certain tax credits generated on purchased goods and services that were ultimately exported from Brazil should be included in the calculation of taxable income. The Brazilian Superior Court of Justice affirmed the tax credits are non-taxable in accordance with the historical and existing tax legislation in Brazil. The ruling resulted in recognition of $26.6 million of Brazilian tax credits due to the recalculation of federal income taxes in Brazil for years 2015 through 2022. The net income tax benefit was partially offset by a $2.4 million income tax provision for U.S. federal income taxes. The ruling resulted in a net income tax benefit of $24.2 million for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The affirmative ruling also resulted in recognition of $5.0 million of interest income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. In the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, we sold our idled Tanzania operations and recognized $1.1 million of income taxes. Without this item and the favorable judgement in Brazil discussed above, the consolidated effective income tax rate for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, would have been approximately 25.5%. Additionally, the sale of our idled Tanzania operations resulted in a $1.8 million reduction to consolidated interest expense related to an uncertain tax position.Sustainability In fiscal year 2024, Universal continued making progress towards our sustainability goals. We made progress towards our operational emissions targets. We also entered into a virtual power purchase agreement, which will generate renewable electricity equal to our North American footprint beginning in 2026, and entered into an emission reduction agreement expected to provide benefits to tobacco growing areas in the Philippines, which will offset a portion of our emissions in Asia beginning in 2025. We continued monitoring our social supply chain targets, and for the second year in a row, substantially met our personal protective equipment distribution, farm labor accommodation, child labor elimination, and farm labor payment goals for our contracted tobacco growers.25Reconciliation of Certain Non-GAAP Financial MeasuresThe following tables set forth certain non-recurring items included in reported results to reconcile adjusted operating income to consolidated operating income and adjusted net income to net income attributable to Universal Corporation: Adjusted Operating Income ReconciliationFiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands)20242023As Reported: Consolidated operating income$222,009 $181,072 Value-added tax settlement costs(1)4,754 — Restructuring and impairment costs(2)3,523 — Adjusted operating income (Non-GAAP)$230,286 $181,072 Adjusted Net Income and Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share ReconciliationFiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands except for per share amounts)20242023As Reported: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation$119,598 $124,052 Value-added tax settlement costs(1)4,754 — Restructuring and impairment costs(2)3,523 — Interest expense for value-added tax settlement(1)245 — Interest income related to final income tax ruling at a foreign subsidiary(3)— (4,980)Interest expense reversal on uncertain tax position from sale of operations in Tanzania— (1,816)Total of Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes8,522 (6,796)Income tax benefit on final tax ruling at a foreign subsidiary(3)(4)— (24,256)Income tax expense from sale of operations in Tanzania— 1,132 Income tax benefit from Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes(4)(1,010)— Total of income tax impacts for Non-GAAP adjustments to income before income taxes and Non-GAAP adjustment to income taxes(4)(1,010)(23,124)As adjusted: Net income attributable to Universal Corporation (Non-GAAP)$127,110 $94,132 As reported: Diluted earnings per share$4.78 $4.97 Adjusted: Diluted earnings per share (Non-GAAP)$5.08 $3.77 (1)     In the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024, the Company utilized a voluntary government-sponsored value-added tax program in Brazil to settle a previously contested assessment. The Company's participation in the settlement program eliminates any future litigation regarding the matter. (2)     Restructuring and impairment costs are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income, but excluded for purposes of Adjusted operating income, Adjusted net income available to Universal Corporation, and Adjusted diluted earnings per share. See Note 4 for additional information.(3)     The Company recognized an income tax benefit ($24.2 million) and associated interest income ($5.0 million) in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2023 related to a favorable final judgement for one of the Company's operating subsidiaries in Brazil. The lawsuit related to the treatment of certain tax credits on exported goods in the calculation of taxable income. (4)    The income tax effect of Non-GAAP adjustments was determined based on the timing and nature of the specific Non-GAAP adjustments and their relevant jurisdictional income tax rates (foreign, state, and local) and the applicable U.S. federal income tax rates. The Company considers current and deferred income tax rates to calculate the impact to income taxes for the Non-GAAP adjustments.Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023, Compared to the Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022For a comparison of our performance and financial metrics for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2023 and March 31, 2022, see “Part II, Item 7. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, filed with the SEC on May 25, 2023.Accounting Pronouncements    See "Accounting Pronouncements" in Note 1 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 of this Annual Report for a discussion of recent accounting pronouncements issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") that will become effective and be adopted by the Company in future reporting periods.26LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCESOverview In fiscal year 2024, our liquidity was sufficient to meet our needs. We continued our financial policies and disciplines and returned funds to shareholders. Accelerated tobacco purchases due to market conditions in Brazil in the last quarter of fiscal year 2024 increased our fiscal year 2024 working capital usage. Most of the tobacco purchased during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2024 will be sold during our fiscal year 2025. Our working capital requirements in fiscal year 2024 were also higher than those in fiscal year 2023 due to increased cash outlays, including higher leaf tobacco costs. Our liquidity and capital resource requirements are predominately short-term in nature and primarily relate to working capital for tobacco crop purchases, and our primary sources of liquidity are net cash flows provided by operating activities and our committed revolving credit facility. Working capital needs for tobacco crop purchases are seasonal within each geographic region. The geographic dispersion and the timing of working capital needs permit us to anticipate our general level of cash requirements, although tobacco crop size, prices paid to farmers, shipment and delivery timing, and currency fluctuations affect requirements each year. Peak working capital requirements are generally reached during the first and second fiscal quarters. Each tobacco production region follows a cycle of buying, processing, and shipping tobacco, and in many regions we also provide agricultural materials to tobacco farmers during the growing season. The timing of the elements of each cycle is influenced by such factors as local weather conditions and individual customer shipping requirements, which may change the level or the duration of tobacco crop financing. In contrast to our Tobacco Operations, working capital requirements for our Ingredients Operations tend to be lower and less seasonal. Despite a predominance of short-term needs for working capital, we maintain a portion of our total debt as long-term to reduce liquidity risk. We also periodically may have large cash balances that we utilize to meet our working capital requirements.We believe that our financial resources are adequate to support our capital and liquidity needs for at least the next twelve months. Our seasonal borrowing requirements primarily relate to purchasing tobacco crops in South America and Africa and can increase during the buying season for those crops by close to $400 million. The funding required can vary significantly depending upon such factors as crop sizes, the price of leaf, the relative strength of the U.S. dollar, and the timing of shipments and customer payments. We deal with this uncertainty by maintaining substantial credit lines and cash balances. In addition to our operating requirements for working capital, we expect to spend around $55 to $65 million during fiscal year 2025 for capital expenditures to maintain our facilities and invest in opportunities to grow and improve our businesses, including completing the project to expand Universal Ingredients' manufacturing capabilities at our Lancaster facility. We have no long-term debt maturing until fiscal year 2028.Cash FlowOur operations used about $74.6 million in operating cash flows in fiscal year 2024. That amount was about $70.1 million higher than the $4.6 million we used in fiscal year 2023, largely due to accelerated tobacco purchasing in Brazil which led to higher working capital requirements in fiscal year 2024. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, we spent $66.0 million on capital projects, and we returned $83.1 million to shareholders in the form of dividends and share repurchases. At March 31, 2024, cash balances totaled $55.6 million.Working CapitalWorking capital at March 31, 2024, was about $1.4 billion, up about $30.3 million from last fiscal year's level, largely on higher working capital requirements due to accelerated tobacco purchases in Brazil and other higher cash outlays, including higher green tobacco costs. Tobacco inventories of $1.1 billion at March 31, 2024, were up $236.7 million compared to inventory levels at the end of the prior fiscal year, in large part due to accelerated tobacco purchases and higher green leaf tobacco prices. Advances to suppliers were down $31.8 million at March 31, 2024, from prior year levels largely on lower crop input costs and accelerated tobacco purchases. We generally do not purchase material quantities of leaf tobacco on a speculative basis. However, when we contract directly with tobacco farmers, we are obligated to buy all stalk positions, which may contain less marketable leaf styles. Our uncommitted tobacco inventories increased by approximately $90.1 million to $181.1 million, or about 17% of tobacco inventory, at March 31, 2024, compared to March 31, 2023 levels, largely on the accelerated tobacco purchases in Brazil. Uncommitted inventories at March 31, 2023, were $91.1 million, which represented 11% of tobacco inventory. While we target committed tobacco inventory levels of 80% or more of total tobacco inventory, the level of these uncommitted inventories is influenced by timing of farmer deliveries and purchases of new crops, as well as the receipt of customer orders.Capital AllocationOur capital allocation strategy focuses on four strategic priorities:•Strengthening and investing for growth in our leaf tobacco business;•Increasing our strong dividend;•Exploring growth opportunities for our plant-based ingredients platform; and•Returning excess capital through share repurchases.27We have been positioning our company for the future by investing in and growing our Universal Ingredients platform, while leveraging our position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier to maximize opportunities in the leaf tobacco business. We will continue to make disciplined investments to take advantage of growth opportunities in tobacco and in our ingredients business. Through these actions, we believe we will be able to deliver enhanced shareholder value through earnings growth and the generation of free cash flow despite operating in a mature tobacco industry. As we look ahead, we will continually evaluate opportunities to return capital to shareholders. Share ActivityOur Board of Directors approved our current share repurchase program in November 2022. The program authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of our common stock through November 15, 2024. Under the current authorization, we may purchase shares from time to time on the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Repurchases of shares under the repurchase program may vary based on management discretion, as well as changes in cash flow generation and availability. During fiscal year 2024, we purchased 100,000 shares of common stock at an aggregate cost of $4.7 million (average price per share $47.44). At March 31, 2024, our available authorization under our current share repurchase program was $95.3 million, and approximately 24.6 million common shares were outstanding.Capital SpendingOur capital expenditures are generally limited to those that add value, replace or maintain equipment, increase efficiency, or position us for future growth. In deciding where to invest capital resources, we look for opportunities where we believe we can earn an adequate return, leverage our assets and expertise, and support our farmer base. During fiscal years 2024 and 2023, we invested $66.0 million and $54.7 million, respectively, in our property, plant, and equipment. Capital expenditures in fiscal year 2024 included investments to expand Universal Ingredients' manufacturing capabilities in Lancaster. Depreciation expense was approximately $47.1 million and $44.8 million, respectively, in fiscal years 2024 and 2023. Typically, our capital expenditures for maintenance projects are less than $30 million per fiscal year. We currently plan to spend approximately $55 to $65 million in fiscal year 2025 on capital projects for maintenance of our facilities and other investments to grow and improve our businesses, including the completion of the Universal Ingredients expansion project.Outstanding Debt and Other Financing ArrangementsWe consider the sum of notes payable and overdrafts, long-term debt (including any current portion), and customer advances and deposits, less cash, cash equivalents, and short-term investments on our balance sheet to be our net debt. We also consider our net debt plus shareholders' equity to be our net capitalization. Net debt increased by $245.4 million to $996.2 million during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. The increase reflects higher working capital requirements. Net debt as a percentage of net capitalization was approximately 41% at March 31, 2024, up from 35% at March 31, 2023.As of March 31, 2024, we had $405 million available under the committed revolving credit facility that will mature in December 2027, and we, together with our consolidated affiliates, had approximately $425 million in uncommitted lines of credit, of which approximately $135 million were unused and available to support seasonal working capital needs. The financial covenants under our committed revolving credit facility require us to maintain certain levels of tangible net worth and observe restrictions on debt levels. As of March 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants of our debt agreements. We also have an effective, undenominated universal shelf registration filed with the SEC in November 2023 that provides for future issuance of additional debt or equity securities. We have no long-term debt maturing until fiscal year 2028.Derivatives From time to time, we use interest rate swap agreements to manage our exposure to changes in interest rates. Currently, we have interest rate swap agreements that convert the variable benchmark SOFR rates on $310 million of our two outstanding term loans to fixed rates. With the swap agreements in place, the effective interest rates on $275 million of the five-year term loan and $345 million of the seven-year term loan were 6.46% and 6.66%, respectively, as of March 31, 2024. These agreements were entered into to eliminate the variability of cash flows in the interest payments on our variable rate five- and seven-year term loans and are accounted for as cash flow hedges. Under the swap agreements, we receive variable rate interest and pay fixed rate interest. At March 31, 2024, the fair value of our open interest rate hedge swaps was a net asset of approximately $7 million. We also enter derivative instruments from time to time to hedge certain foreign currency exposures, primarily related to forecasted purchases of tobacco, related processing costs, and crop input sales in Brazil, as well as our net monetary asset exposure in local currency there. We generally account for our hedges of forecasted tobacco purchases as cash flow hedges. At March 31, 2024, the fair value of those open contracts was a net asset of approximately $0.1 million. We also had other forward contracts outstanding that were not designated as hedges, and the fair value of those contracts was a net asset of approximately $0.2 million at March 31, 2024. For additional information, see Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.Pension FundingThe funds supporting our ERISA-regulated U.S. defined benefit pension plan at March 31, 2024, were approximately $215 million. The accumulated benefit obligation (“ABO”) and PBO were both approximately $200 million and $205 million, 28respectively as of March 31, 2024. The ABO and PBO are calculated on the basis of certain assumptions that are outlined in Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8. We expect to make no contributions to our ERISA-regulated pension plan during the next year. It is our policy to regularly monitor the performance of the funds and to review the adequacy of our funding and plan contributions.Contractual ObligationsOur contractual obligations as of March 31, 2024, were as follows:(in thousands of dollars)Total20252026-20272028-2029After 2029Notes payable and long-term debt (1) $1,264,019 $485,992 $81,505 $334,288 $362,234 Operating lease obligations40,363 14,542 14,343 7,113 4,365 Inventory purchase obligations:Tobacco830,723 642,136 188,587 — — Agricultural materials41,332 41,332 — — — Other purchase obligations60,734 56,295 4,439 — — Total$2,237,171 $1,240,297 $288,874 $341,401 $366,599 (1)Includes interest payments. Interest payments on $727 million of variable rate debt were estimated based on rates as of March 31, 2024. We have entered into interest rate swaps that effectively convert the interest payments on $310 million of the outstanding balance of our two bank term loans from variable to fixed. The fixed rate has been used to determine the contractual interest payments for all periods.In addition to principal and interest payments on notes payable and long-term debt, our contractual obligations include operating lease payments, inventory purchase commitments, and capital expenditure commitments. Operating lease obligations represent minimum payments due under leases for various production, storage, distribution, and other facilities, as well as vehicles and equipment. Tobacco inventory purchase obligations primarily represent contracts to purchase tobacco from farmers. The amounts shown above are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yield, and prices will depend on the quality of the tobacco delivered. We have partially funded our tobacco purchases in some origins with short-term advances to farmers and other suppliers, which totaled approximately $139 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2024. CRITICAL  ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES AND ASSUMPTIONSIn preparing the financial statements in accordance with GAAP, we are required to make estimates and assumptions that have an impact on the assets, liabilities, revenue, and expense amounts reported. These estimates can also affect our supplemental information disclosures, including information about contingencies, risks, and financial condition. We believe, given current facts and circumstances, that our estimates and assumptions are reasonable, adhere to GAAP, and are consistently applied. However, changes in the assumptions used could result in a material adjustment to the financial statements. Our critical accounting estimates and assumptions are in the following areas: Inventories  Inventories of tobacco are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value with cost determined under the specific cost method. Raw materials are clearly identified at the time of purchase. Other inventories consist primarily of unprocessed and processed food and vegetable ingredients, extracts, seed, fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies. We track the costs associated with raw materials in the final product lots, and maintain this identification through the time of sale. We also capitalize direct and indirect costs related to processing raw materials. This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method. We write down inventory for changes in net realizable value based upon assumptions related to future demand and market conditions if the indicated value is below cost. Future demand assumptions can be impacted by changes in customer sales, changes in customers’ inventory positions and policies, competitors’ pricing policies and inventory positions, and varying crop sizes and qualities. Market conditions that differ significantly from those assumed by management could result in additional write-downs. We experience inventory write-downs routinely. Inventory write-downs in fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 were $9.2 million, $14.0 million, and $19.9 million, respectively. Advances to Tobacco Suppliers In many sourcing origins, we provide tobacco growers with agronomy services and seasonal crop advances of, or for, seed, fertilizer, and other supplies. These advances are short term in nature and are customarily repaid upon delivery of tobacco to us. In several origins, we have also made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to repay maturing advances. In those cases, we may extend repayment of the advances into the following crop year. We will incur losses whenever we are unable to recover the full amount of the loans and advances. At each reporting period, we must make estimates and assumptions in determining the valuation allowance for advances to farmers. At March 31, 2024, the gross 29balance of advances to tobacco suppliers totaled approximately $162 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $20 million. Recoverable Value-Added Tax CreditsIn many foreign countries, we pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When we sell tobacco to customers in the country of origin, we generally collect VAT on those sales. We are normally permitted to offset our VAT payments against those collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where our tobacco sales are predominantly for export markets, we often do not generate enough VAT collections on downstream sales to fully offset our VAT payments. In those situations, we can accumulate unused VAT credits. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, in some countries we can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. We review these balances on a regular basis, and we record valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that we do not expect to recover, as well as discounts anticipated on credits we expect to sell or transfer. In determining the appropriate valuation allowance to record in a given jurisdiction, we must make various estimates and assumptions about factors affecting the ultimate recovery of the VAT credits. At March 31, 2024, the gross balance of recoverable tax credits (primarily VAT) totaled approximately $72 million, and the related valuation allowance totaled approximately $21 million.Business CombinationsFrom time to time, we may enter into business combinations. In accordance with ASC 805, “Business Combinations”, we generally recognize the identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed at their fair values as of the date of acquisition. We measure goodwill as the excess of consideration transferred, which we also measure at fair value, over the net of the acquisition date fair values of the identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed. The acquisition method of accounting requires us to make significant estimates and assumptions regarding the fair values of the elements of a business combination as of the date of acquisition, including the fair values of identifiable intangible assets, deferred tax asset valuation allowances, liabilities including those related to debt, pensions and other postretirement plans, uncertain tax positions, contingent consideration and contingencies. This method also requires us to refine these estimates over a measurement period not to exceed one year to reflect new information obtained about facts and circumstances that existed as of the acquisition date that, if known, would have affected the measurement of the amounts recognized as of that date. If we are required to adjust provisional amounts that we have recorded for the fair values of assets and liabilities in connection with acquisitions, these adjustments could have a material impact on our financial condition and results of operations.Significant estimates and assumptions in estimating the fair value of developed technology, customer relationships, and other identifiable intangible assets include future cash flows that we expect to generate from the acquired assets. If the subsequent actual results and updated projections of the underlying business activity change compared with the assumptions and projections used to develop these values, we could record impairment charges. In addition, we have estimated the economic lives of certain acquired assets and these lives are used to calculate depreciation and amortization expense. If our estimates of the economic lives change, depreciation or amortization expenses could be increased or decreased, or the acquired asset could be impaired.GoodwillA majority of our consolidated goodwill balance relates to our reporting unit in Brazil and the acquisitions of FruitSmart, Silva, and Shank's.We review the carrying value of goodwill for potential impairment on an annual basis and at any time that events or business conditions indicate that it may be impaired. As permitted under Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 (“ASC 350”), at March 31, 2024, we utilized a quantitative assessment to evaluate goodwill for impairment. The quantitative goodwill assessment consists of comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value of that reporting unit. In the event that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment of the reporting unit's goodwill is recognized, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Fair value was assessed using a discounted cash flow model, comprised of estimates of future cash flows and discount rates (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under GAAP). The calculations in the discounted cash flow models are not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore require significant management judgment with respect to operating earnings growth rates and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. Based on this quantitative assessment, the Company determined there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units as of March 31, 2024.30In fiscal year 2023, as permitted under ASC 350, we elected to base our initial assessment of potential impairment on qualitative factors. Those factors did not indicate any impairment of our recorded goodwill in fiscal year 2023. Under the qualitative assessment, if any indicators of impairment had been determined we would then use discounted cash flow models to measure any expected impairment indicated by a quantitative assessment. Significant adverse changes in our operations or our estimates of future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill, such as those caused by unforeseen events or changes in market conditions, could result in an impairment charge. Fair Value MeasurementsWe hold various financial assets and financial liabilities that are required to be measured and reported at fair value in our financial statements, including money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swaps, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. We follow the relevant accounting guidance in determining the fair values of these financial assets and liabilities. Money market funds are valued based on net asset value (“NAV”), which is used as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of those funds (not classified within the fair value hierarchy). Quoted market prices (Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy) are used in most cases to determine the fair values of trading securities. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are valued based on dealer quotes using discounted cash flow models matched to the contractual terms of each instrument (Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy). We incorporate credit risk in determining the fair values of our financial assets and financial liabilities, but that risk did not materially affect the fair values of any of those assets or liabilities at March 31, 2024. We estimate the fair value of acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations by applying an income approach model that utilizes probability-weighted discounted cash flows. Each period we evaluate the fair value of the acquisition-related contingent consideration obligations. Significant judgment is applied to this model and therefore acquisition-related contingent consideration obligation is classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. In fiscal year 2022, the evaluation of the contingent consideration for the FruitSmart acquisition resulted in the reduction of the remaining  $2.5 million of contingent consideration of the original $6.7 million liability recorded in fiscal year 2020.Income Taxes  Our consolidated effective income tax rate is based on our expected taxable income, tax laws and statutory tax rates, prevailing foreign currency exchange rates, and tax planning opportunities in the various jurisdictions in which we operate. Significant judgment is required in determining the consolidated effective tax rate and evaluating our tax position. We are subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions, and could be subject to a tax audit in each of these jurisdictions, which could result in adjustments to tax expense in future periods. In the event that there is a significant, unusual, or one-time item recognized in our results, the tax attributed to that discrete item would be recorded at the same time as the item.Our consolidated income tax expense and consolidated effective tax rate are heavily dependent on the tax rates of the individual countries in which we operate, the mix of our pretax earnings from those countries, and the prevailing rates of exchange of their local currencies with the U.S. dollar. The mix of pretax earnings and local currency exchange rates in particular can change significantly between annual and quarterly reporting periods based on crop sizes, market conditions, and economic factors. Our consolidated effective tax rate can be volatile from year-to-year and from quarter-to-quarter as result of these factors.We have no undistributed earnings of consolidated foreign subsidiaries that are classified as permanently or indefinitely reinvested. We assume that all undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries will be repatriated back to their parent entities in the U.S. where the funds are best placed to meet our cash flow requirements. In addition, we strive to mitigate economic, political, and currency risk by following a disciplined annual approach to the distribution of excess capital back to the U.S. Based on these assumptions, in our income tax expense for each reporting period we fully provide for all applicable foreign country withholding taxes that are expected to be due on these distributions. Our accounting for uncertain tax positions requires that we review all significant tax positions taken, or expected to be taken, in income tax returns for all jurisdictions in which we operate. In this review, we must assume that all tax positions will ultimately be audited, and either accepted or rejected based on the applicable tax regulations by the tax authorities for those jurisdictions. We must recognize in our financial statements only the tax benefits associated with tax positions that are “more likely than not” to be accepted upon audit, at the greatest amount that is considered “more likely than not” to be accepted. These determinations require significant management judgment, and changes in any given quarterly or annual reporting period could affect our consolidated income tax rate. Tax regulations require items to be included in taxable income in the tax return at different times, and in some cases in different amounts, than the items are reflected in the financial statements. As a result, our effective tax rate reflected in the financial statements is different than that reported in our tax returns. Some of these differences are permanent, such as expenses that are not tax deductible, while others are related to timing issues, such as differences in depreciation methods. Timing differences create deferred tax assets and liabilities. Deferred tax liabilities generally represent tax expense recognized in our financial statements for which payment has been deferred or income taxes related to expenses that have not yet been recognized in the financial statements, but have been deducted in our tax return. Deferred tax assets generally represent items that can be used as 31a tax deduction or credit in future tax returns for which we have already recorded the tax benefit in our financial statements. We record valuation allowances for deferred tax assets when the amount of estimated future taxable income is not likely to support the use of the deduction or credit. Determining the amount of such valuation allowances requires significant management judgment, including estimates of future taxable income in multiple tax jurisdictions where we operate. Based on our periodic earnings forecasts, we project the upcoming year’s taxable income to help us evaluate our ability to realize deferred tax assets. For additional disclosures on income taxes, see Notes 1 and 6 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8.Pension and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans The measurement of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations and costs at the end of each fiscal year requires that we make various assumptions that are used by our outside actuaries in estimating the present value of projected future benefit payments to all plan participants. Those assumptions take into consideration the likelihood of potential future events such as salary increases and demographic experience. The assumptions we use may have an effect on the amount and timing of future contributions to our plans. The plan trustee conducts an independent valuation of the fair value of pension plan assets. The significant assumptions used in the calculation of our pension and other postretirement benefit obligations are: •Discount rate – The discount rate is based on investment yields on a hypothetical portfolio of actual long-term corporate bonds rated AA that align with the cash flows for our benefit obligations.•Salary scale – The salary scale assumption is based on our long-term actual experience for salary increases, the near-term outlook, and expected inflation. •Expected long-term return on plan assets – The expected long-term return on plan assets reflects asset allocations and investment strategy adopted by the Finance and Pension Investment Committee of the Board of Directors. •Retirement and mortality rates – Retirement rates are based on actual plan experience along with our near-term outlook. Early retirement assumptions are based on our actual experience. Mortality rates are based on standard mortality tables which are updated to reflect projected improvements in life expectancy. •Healthcare cost trend rates – For postretirement medical plan obligations and costs, we make assumptions on future inflationary increases in medical costs. These assumptions are based on our actual experience, along with third-party forecasts of long-term medical cost trends. From one fiscal year to the next, the rates we use for each of the above assumptions may change based on market developments and other factors. The discount rate reflects prevailing market interest rates at the end of the fiscal year when the benefit obligations are actuarially measured and will increase or decrease based on market patterns. The expected long-term return on plan assets may change based on changes in investment strategy for plan assets or changes in indicated longer-term yields on specific classes of plan assets. In addition to the changes in actuarial assumptions from year to year, actual plan experience affecting our net benefit obligations, such as actual returns on plan assets and actual mortality experience, will differ from the assumptions used to measure the obligations. The effects of these changes and differences increase or decrease the obligation we record for our pension and other postretirement benefit plans, and they also create gains and losses that are accumulated and amortized over future periods, thus affecting the expense we recognize for these plans over those periods. Changes in the discount rate from year to year generally have the largest impact on our projected benefit obligation and annual expense, and the effects may be significant, particularly over successive years where the discount rate moves in the same direction.32As of March 31, 2024, the effect of the indicated increase or decrease in the selected pension and other postretirement benefit valuation assumptions is shown below. The effect assumes no change in benefit levels.(in thousands of dollars)Effect on2024 ProjectedBenefit ObligationIncrease(Decrease) Effect on2025 Annual ExpenseIncrease(Decrease) Changes in Assumptions for Pension BenefitsDiscount Rate:1% increase$(22,803)$(1,455)1% decrease27,464 2,391 Expected Long-Term Return on Plan Assets:1% increase— (2,358)1% decrease— 2,357 Changes in Assumptions for Other Postretirement BenefitsDiscount Rate:1% increase(1,459)(104)1% decrease1,695 130 Healthcare Cost Trend Rate:1% increase110 33 1% decrease(102)(31)A 1% increase or decrease in the salary scale assumption would not have a material effect on the projected benefit obligation or on annual expense for the Company's pension benefits. See Note 13 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information on pension and other postretirement benefit plans.Other Estimates and Assumptions Other management estimates and assumptions are routinely required in preparing our financial statements, including the determination of valuation allowances on accounts receivable and the fair value of long-lived assets. Changes in market and economic conditions, local tax laws, and other related factors are considered each reporting period, and adjustments to the accounts are made based on management’s best judgment.33OTHER INFORMATION REGARDING TRENDSAND MANAGEMENT’S ACTIONSOur financial performance depends on our ability to obtain an appropriate price for our products and services, to secure the product volumes and qualities desired by our customers, and to maintain efficient, competitive operations. As the leading global leaf tobacco supplier, we continually monitor issues and opportunities that may impact the supply of and demand for leaf tobacco, the volumes of leaf tobacco that we handle, and the services we provide. Our ingredients operations similarly require us to monitor issues and opportunities that may impact supply and demand for the materials we source, the products we sell, and the services we provide.Tobacco Operations TrendsWe believe that a key factor to perform successfully in the tobacco industry is our ability to provide customers with the quality of leaf and the level of service they desire on a global basis at competitive prices, while maintaining stability of supply. We add significant value to the leaf tobacco supply chain, providing expertise in dealing with large numbers of farmers, efficiently selling various qualities of leaf produced in each crop to a broad global customer base, and delivering products and services produced in a sustainable manner that meet stringent quality and regulatory specifications. We also make the tobacco markets more efficient and provide crop development guidance at the farm level. As part of our commitment to our customers, we adapt our business model to meet their evolving needs and monitor new product developments in the tobacco industry to identify areas where we can provide additional value to them.Mature Leaf Tobacco MarketsLeaf tobacco is sourced directly by product manufacturers, by global leaf suppliers such as ourselves, and by other smaller, mostly regional or local, leaf suppliers. We estimate that, of the flue-cured and burley tobacco grown outside of China in countries that are key export markets for tobacco, on average about a third is purchased directly by major manufacturers. Global leaf suppliers also usually purchase about a third of the tobacco, and the remainder is sourced by the smaller regional or local suppliers. In some markets the tobacco purchased directly by manufacturers is processed by the global leaf suppliers. Although we operate in a mature industry, we are committed to maintaining our strong position as the leading global leaf tobacco supplier. In recent years, we have been and believe that we will continue to be able to grow parts of our business and maintain performance despite declines in demand for leaf tobacco from product manufacturers. We have done this by continuing to increase our delivery of services, driving supply chain efficiencies, enhancing the range of services we provide to certain customers, including direct buying, agronomic support, and specialized processing services, and improving our market share. We intend to continue to work to expand our business while at the same time maintaining an appropriate return for the services we provide and believe that there are several longer-term trends in the industry, such as a focus on sustainability, that could provide additional opportunities for us both to offer additional services to our customers and to increase our market share.We continually explore options to capitalize on the strengths of our core competencies and seek growth opportunities related to leaf tobacco and our operations around the world. For example, we have expanded our leaf purchasing, processing, value-added services, and grower support services in multiple origins in response to customer demand. We have increased our product offerings to meet demand for natural wrappers and related services in the United States and Europe.Focus on Cost ManagementManufacturers naturally seek to mitigate raw materials cost increases, and they place increased emphasis on cost containment as they address declining demand. While this is not a new trend, it continues to offer us opportunities as we bring supply chain efficiencies to the leaf markets. We believe that, as a global leaf supplier, we add efficiencies to the markets through economies of scale, as well as through the vital role we play in finding buyers for all styles and qualities of leaf tobacco, which achieves overall cost reductions. To understand our business, it is important to note that tobacco is not a commodity product. Flavor and smoking characteristics as well as chemistries of tobacco vary based on the type of tobacco, the region where the tobacco is grown, and the position of the leaf on the stalk of the plant. Many different styles and grades of tobacco may be produced in a single tobacco crop. A particular manufacturer may only want and have use for certain leaves of a plant. The leaf tobacco supplier plays a vital role in the industry by finding buyers for all leaf grades and styles of tobacco produced in a farmer’s crop. This role helps to improve leaf utilization.In addition to bringing supply chain efficiencies to the leaf tobacco markets, we bring operational efficiencies to the industry, which in turn helps reduce costs. These efficiencies include economical utilization of processing capacity, an established and scalable global network of agronomists and technicians helping to maintain a stable, productive, and sustainable farmer base, as well as agronomic and production improvements to optimize leaf yields and qualities. In addition, we are able to offer manufacturers a complete range of services from the field to the delivery of  packed product that benefit from our efficiencies. These services include such things as buying station optimization, processing and blending to specific customer specifications or needs, storage of green or packed leaf tobacco, and logistical services. There has been an increase in the level of direct purchasing, sorting, processing, and other value-added services that we provide our customers, notably in the United States, 34Mexico, Brazil, Poland, Guatemala, the Dominican Republic, and the Philippines. We believe this increase acknowledges the efficiencies and services that we bring to the entire supply chain.We have also seen some reductions in sourcing from lower-volume tobacco growing origins by both global leaf suppliers and major manufacturers. Flue-cured tobacco is produced in about 65 countries around the world, and burley tobacco is grown in about 45 countries. However, over 80% of both the flue-cured tobacco grown outside of China and the worldwide burley tobacco production is sourced from the top ten growing areas for each type of tobacco. We believe that these moves to reduce sourcing areas and concentrate on major tobacco export markets are another way for the industry to increase efficiency and to reduce costs. We have contributed to cost reduction and elimination of excess capacity in the supply chain through the closure or realignment of programs in Argentina, Canada, Germany, Hungary, Italy, Malawi, Nicaragua, Switzerland, Tanzania, and Zambia. We maintain a strong presence in all of the major tobacco sourcing areas and believe that any growth in these areas would favor global leaf suppliers such as ourselves. In the future, we expect that increased regulations requiring stringent monitoring and testing of leaf chemistry and compliant sourcing documentation will continue to place greater emphasis on major sourcing areas.Importance of Compliant LeafAs we have said for many years, the production of compliant leaf for the tobacco industry continues to grow in importance. To be considered compliant, leaf tobacco must be grown in a traceable, sustainable manner utilizing GAP as well as adhering to ALP principals and monitored for environmental and social impacts. We have long invested significant resources in the programs and infrastructure needed to work with growers to produce compliant leaf and continue to enhance our ability to monitor and demonstrate this compliance for our customers. Our GAP and ALP programs focus on implementing international principles of sustainability by encouraging and training our farmers to employ sound field production and labor management practices that promote farmer profitability and minimal environmental impact. To assist farmers, Universal provides comprehensive training, technical support in the field, and crop analytics through ongoing research and development. Our commitment to compliance is reinforced through MobiLeaf™, our proprietary mobile device platform that captures and shares data in real-time, embedding sustainability throughout our supply chain and providing monitoring of GAP and ALP efforts, compliance with labor standards, and opportunities to enhance efficiencies. We believe that compliant leaf will continue to grow in importance to our customers and, as a result, will favor global suppliers who are able to deliver this product.Growth of Next Generation ProductsMost of the major tobacco product manufacturers have been developing next generation and modified risk products. These include ENDS, oral tobacco and nicotine products, and heated tobacco products. ENDS use liquid nicotine, which is predominately derived from leaf tobacco, and heated tobacco products use leaf tobacco. Oral tobacco and nicotine products may use liquid nicotine or leaf tobacco. At this time, it is unclear how these new products will affect demand for leaf tobacco. However, as our customers have been developing these products, we have been working with them to make sure we are able to meet their needs for both their traditional and new products. This is consistent with our commitment to efficiently and effectively adapt our business model to meet our customers’ evolving needs. Specifically, we have expertise in tobacco seed development, crop production methods, crop sourcing, processing, and manufacturing of reconstituted sheet tobacco, which is beneficial to our customers as they continue to develop alternative tobacco products. We also are able to provide high quality liquid nicotine through our subsidiary, AmeriNic. We continue to monitor industry developments regarding next generation products, including consumer acceptance and regulation, and will adapt accordingly.Leaf Tobacco SupplyFlue-cured tobacco crops grown outside of China increased in fiscal year 2024 by about 20% to 1.7 billion kilos compared to fiscal year 2023, when production levels were below historical averages. Global burley tobacco production at about 430 million kilos in fiscal year 2024, also increased compared to the burley crops grown in our fiscal year 2023. Flue-cured tobacco production grown outside of China is projected to decrease by about 5%, and the global burley tobacco crop is projected to increase by about 3% in fiscal year 2025. We estimate that as of March 31, 2024, industry uncommitted flue-cured and burley inventories, excluding China are at very low levels. At this time, we believe that both flue-cured tobacco and burley tobacco supply remain in undersupply positions.We also forecast that oriental tobacco production will decrease by about 6% and dark air-cured tobacco production will increase by about 16% in fiscal year 2025. We believe both oriental tobaccos and dark air-cured tobaccos are in undersupply positions. Over the long term, we believe that global tobacco production will continue to move in line with slowly declining total demand. Africa, Asia, North America, and South America will remain key sourcing regions for flue-cured and burley tobaccos.China is a significant cigarette market. However, most of the cigarettes consumed in China and the leaf tobacco used in those cigarettes are produced domestically. Therefore, we normally view the Chinese market independently when evaluating worldwide leaf tobacco supply and demand. 35Leaf Tobacco Demand Industry data from the TMA shows that over the five years ended in 2022, world consumption of cigarettes outside of China was relatively flat, growing at a compound annual growth rate of just under 1%, and consumption of American-blend cigarettes has been declining at a compound annual growth rate of 1.8%. We expect that near term global demand for leaf tobacco will slowly decline in line with global cigarette consumption.Our sales consist primarily of flue-cured, burley, and dark air-cured tobaccos. Flue-cured and burley tobaccos, along with oriental tobaccos, are used in American-blend cigarettes which are primarily smoked in Western Europe and the United States. English-blend cigarettes which use flue-cured tobacco are mainly smoked in the United Kingdom and Asia and other emerging markets. Industry data shows that consumption of American-blend cigarettes was declining for the five years ended in 2022. If demand for American-blend cigarettes declines at a higher rate than reductions in demand for English-blend cigarettes, there may be less demand for burley and oriental tobaccos and more demand for flue-cured tobacco. However, demand is affected by many factors, including regulation, product taxation, illicit trade, alternative tobacco products, and Chinese imports. To the extent that domestic leaf production and inventory durations in China do not meet requirements for Chinese cigarette blends, that tobacco could be sourced from other origins where we have major market positions. On a year-to-year basis, we are also susceptible to fluctuations in leaf supply due to crop sizes and leaf demand as manufacturers adjust inventories or respond to changes in cigarette markets. We currently believe that the supply of flue-cured tobaccos and burley tobaccos are in an undersupply relative to anticipated demand. However, inventories held by our customers may affect their near-term demand for leaf tobacco. We also sell oriental tobaccos, which are used in American-blend cigarettes, and dark tobaccos, which are used in cigars and other smokeless products. In recent years, we have seen increased demand for natural wrapper tobacco particularly for the European and U.S. machine-made cigar markets. While we expect demand for dark tobaccos used in cigar filler to be generally in line with supply, we are continuing to see strong demand for wrapper tobacco.PricingFactors that affect green tobacco prices include global supply and demand, market conditions, production costs, foreign exchange rates, and competition from other crops, among others. We work with farmers to maintain tobacco production and to secure product at price levels that are attractive to both the farmers and our customers. Our objective is to secure compliant tobacco that is produced in a cost-effective manner under a sustainable business model with the desired quality for our customers. In some areas, tobacco competes with agricultural commodity products for farmer production. In the past, leaf shortages in specific markets or on a worldwide basis have also led to green tobacco price increases.Global Regulation of Tobacco ProductsPublic Acceptance of Increased Global Regulation on Tobacco ProductsDiminishing social acceptance of tobacco use and increasing pressure from anti-smoking groups have cultivated a political environment that accepts greater regulations on tobacco products, particularly in the United States and the European Union. While the impact of this cultural trend on our business is uncertain, the global acceptance of stringent regulations could reduce demand for tobacco products and have a material adverse effect on our results of operation.Strengthened Global Cooperation in the Regulation on Tobacco ProductsThe WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (“FCTC”) was ratified in 2005 to become the world’s first international public health treaty. Since its inception, the FCTC has continued to strengthen international cooperation and collaboration in tobacco control by advancing the implementation of the treaty’s 38 articles and increasing global participation. At the tenth Conference of the Parties held in February 2024, the FCTC worked diligently to consider amendments to the agreement and track progress in the treaty’s implementation, particularly as it relates to environmental impacts and novel/emerging products. While we cannot predict the extent or speed at which the efforts of the FCTC will reduce tobacco consumption, a proliferation of national laws and regulations spurred by the recommendations of the FCTC would likely reduce demand for both tobacco products and leaf.United States FDA’s Continued Enforcement of the Tobacco Control ActIn 2009, the U.S. Congress passed the Family Smoking Prevention and Tobacco Control Act (the "Tobacco Act”). This legislation authorizes the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (“FDA”) to regulate the manufacturing and marketing of tobacco products. The Tobacco Act additionally prohibited characterizing flavors with the exception of menthol in cigarettes, restricted youth access to tobacco products, banned advertising claims regarding certain tobacco products, and established the Center for Tobacco Products. 36Over the past decade, the FDA has focused on establishing the scientific foundation and regulatory framework for regulating tobacco products in the United States. On May 10, 2016, the FDA released “deeming” regulations to extend FDA oversight over all tobacco products, including electronic nicotine delivery systems, cigars, hookah tobacco, pipe tobacco, dissolvables, and “novel and future products.” Additionally, Congress extended FDA’s authority to include regulation of tobacco products using synthetically manufactured nicotine in addition to naturally derived nicotine in March 2022. The regulations require tobacco product manufacturers to register tobacco products that were on the market on February 15, 2007, and to seek FDA authorization to sell any products modified or introduced after such date. All submissions require manufacturers to list ingredients in their products. In April 2022, the FDA released two proposed rules to advance product standards intended to ban menthol in cigarettes and characterizing flavors in cigars. These proposed rules remain pending. The flavored tobacco product category accounts for a significant percentage of the U.S. market, and these product standards would likely impact future leaf demand if adopted. It is also expected that if these bans are adopted, they will be challenged in the legal system so it is not possible at this time to predict when and if these bans will become effective. Although less than 5% of cigarettes manufactured worldwide are consumed in the United States, the FDA is widely considered a global leader in the “science-driven” regulation of tobacco products. Thus, the continued implementation and enforcement of the Tobacco Act in the United States is likely to influence the tobacco control measures considered by other countries and international bodies, including the WHO. It is impossible to predict the ultimate impact these developing regulations will have on our business, but any reduction in the demand for our customers' products will adversely affect the demand for leaf tobacco. Global Acceptance of the Continuum of Risk in the Regulation of Novel Tobacco ProductsAs novel tobacco products, such as e-cigarettes and heat-not-burn devices, emerge in the global market, governments are tasked with developing the appropriate, science-driven approach to regulation. In 2017, then Commissioner of the FDA, Scott Gottlieb, announced a new regulatory approach for the regulation of tobacco products that embraced the placement of each product somewhere along a “continuum of risk”. This comprehensive plan on nicotine use sought to facilitate an adult tobacco consumer’s switch from combustible cigarettes to less risky products found lower on the continuum. As part of this regulatory scheme, the FDA approved the first “heat-not-burn” and “very-low nicotine” premarket tobacco applications to permit the sale of these products within the United States. Furthermore, the FDA approved their first modified risk tobacco products applications to permit certain products in the heat-not-burn and smokeless categories to make modified exposure or risk claims. Although the WHO FCTC has not embraced the harm-reduction language in the treaty, a growing number of countries have established tobacco control strategies incorporating a continuum of risk concept. In addition, the global tobacco product market is continuously diversifying to include a wide array of novel tobacco products to serve as alternatives to combustible cigarettes.Regardless of the type, it is generally understood that most novel products on the market contain less leaf tobacco than combustible cigarettes. Therefore, the market-driven rise of novel products alongside a regulatory scheme designed to facilitate an adult tobacco consumer’s switch from combustible cigarettes could affect global leaf demand. It is presently difficult to predict whether this will result in a decrease or an increase in requirements for leaf tobacco production in the long or short terms. Since they are marketed as replacements for combustible tobacco products, the question remains whether novel products will replace traditional cigarettes in the future, add to the market, or have a balancing effect. Increased TaxationA number of governments, particularly federal and local governments in the United States and the European Union, impose excise or similar taxes on tobacco products. Further legislation proposing new or increased taxes on tobacco products is likely to continue. In some cases, proposed legislation seeks to significantly increase existing taxes on tobacco products or impose new taxes on products that have not been subject to tax (e.g. ENDS products and liquid nicotine). Increases in product taxation may reduce the affordability of, and demand for, tobacco products, which will affect requirements for leaf tobacco by tobacco product manufacturers.Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can also affect our earnings. For example, numerous foreign jurisdictions in which the Company operates have enacted or are in the process of enacting legislation related to the OECD’s Pillar Two model rules. We continually monitor potential and enacted tax changes, including the implementation of Pillar Two legislation, in the countries in which we operate. The impact of these potential new rules, as well as any other changes in domestic and international tax rules and regulations, could have a material effect on our effective tax rate.Illicit TradeIllicit trade is another factor which influences demand for legally and sustainably produced leaf tobacco. The WHO  estimates that one in every ten cigarettes consumed globally is illicit. Individual governments like the United States, European Union, and Brazil have initiated substantial steps in combating illicit trade. In 2012, the WHO FCTC adopted an illicit trade protocol which has been so far ratified by only 68 parties. We continue to support both governmental and industry efforts to eradicate illicit trade.37Ingredients Operations TrendsWe have made significant strategic investments in Universal Ingredients. We acquired FruitSmart in January 2020, Silva in October 2020, and Shank's in October 2021. Additionally, we made additional investments to enhance operational synergies among the businesses and drive revenue and margin expansion by growing the platform offerings, including by investing in key sales and product research and development personnel to promote and expand the full range of our capabilities across Universal Ingredients. We have also invested in Universal Ingredients' infrastructure with the expansion of our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility which we expect to be fully operational in the second half of fiscal year 2025. This expansion will further enhance our product offerings and production capabilities. We have been achieving operational synergies across Universal Ingredients among our businesses and have also made considerable progress on our vision for the segment, providing a total solution-based approach for our customers that utilizes our broad spectrum of capabilities in fruits, vegetables and botanical extracts and flavorings. Our commercial sales efforts allow us to market additional innovative products from across our platform to our existing customers, while also pursuing opportunities with new customers. We also see potential in providing our customers with product offerings that combine ingredients from across the Universal Ingredients platform; for example, combining fruit juice, dehydrated vegetables, and botanical extracts into a new beverage concept. Product DevelopmentProduct development for food and beverage companies is crucial as it drives innovation, meets consumer demands, and ensures competitiveness in a dynamic market. Food and beverage companies must continuously evolve their product lines to cater to changing tastes, dietary needs, and lifestyle choices of consumers. Moreover, product development allows companies to leverage new technologies and processes ensuring sustainability and efficiency in production. In essence, product development is not just about creating new products; it's about sustaining a brand's relevance and growth in an ever-changing industry. We have invested in research and development staff at our Lancaster, Pennsylvania facility and are able to offer solutions for our customers’ dynamic product needs. Through Universal Ingredients, we have been providing high-quality, specialty vegetable- and fruit-based ingredients for the food and beverage end markets, showcasing the importance of adapting to market trends and consumer preferences. As Universal Ingredients continues to progress, we have made initial investments in market research to provide our customers with value-added trend data to help aid their strategic goals and visions. By evaluating the food and beverage market segments, we are able to develop innovative solutions for our customers and become proactive in product solutions for market gap opportunities. When looking at markets, we study food and beverage trends that are relevant to our portfolio, and we also analyze consumer behavior. Consumer behavior is an indicator of how consumers act in their environments and what they value when it comes to purchasing products. Looking ahead, we see several ways consumers are choosing to look at brands and what they value. For example, transparency in labels is currently a leading factor in what consumers want to see in the market. Honest messaging about product claims is also important to consumers. Health and WellnessOne of the markets Universal Ingredients serves is the growing global health and wellness market. Many consumers are focused on mental and physical health driving strong consumer demand for healthy foods. Consumers are looking to understand more about where their food comes from and what exactly it contains. They are looking for brands to help them recognize the benefits that processing can have on a product, especially if it will make it healthier and more functional. According to industry sources, consumers are concerned with whether products are highly processed or contain high amounts of sugar, fats, or sodium. With consumers becoming more educated within the health and well-being space, it is critical companies come to the table with full transparency on how their products are produced and what they contain.Many of our ingredients can be used as additive components of healthy food products. We continue to believe that there will be strong demand for healthy foods going forward and that our ingredients portfolio can provide food manufacturers with innovative ingredients solutions to support these types of products.Pet FoodAnother of the growing end markets for ingredients products is the global pet food market. The global pet food market size was over $100 billion in 2023, according to industry projections. With "family" increasingly being redefined to include pets, there are rising opportunities within the market. We believe that consumers will value human-grade ingredients and healthy and gourmet offerings for their pets. Our platform is well positioned to take advantage of increasing demand in the pet food end market as well as for other natural and clean-label products across the end markets it serves. 38BeveragesThe beverage category for Universal Ingredients will remain a strategic initiative moving forward within the retail and food service space. With our heavy investments in the new capabilities at our Lancaster location, we will be able to serve a broader audience of customers looking for new trends within the beverage sector. The beverage market can be segmented into several smaller subcategories, including alcoholic beverages, non-alcoholic beverages, coffees, and juices. Our investments in our research and development function and in our Lancaster facility expansion are intended to provide us with the capabilities to service the entire beverage market whether it is enhancing flavors, providing juice concentrates, or developing future innovations. In addition to our product development team working with our customers, we also evaluate the market to understand what might be happening to the future of food and beverage.  In the current market, we are seeing increasing demand for functional beverages. Brands are focusing on consumer’s health and nutritional needs whether that is sugar reduction or by providing natural sources of caffeine such as yerba mate. Consumers are increasingly scrutinizing product labels and ingredient lists, looking for more natural and healthy options that suit their dietary needs. The busy lifestyles of consumers have heightened awareness of the need to maintain a healthier diet. Our strategy is to deliver functional ingredients as well as convenience to our customers through customized solutions across the entire platform.Vertical IntegrationAs we continue to grow Universal Ingredients, we will explore and develop targeted opportunities to vertically integrate certain plant-based ingredients from our tobacco growing areas to capitalize on our strengths and capabilities there. We have established grower networks and agricultural support infrastructure in origins where we source tobacco, and we also have strong, mature sustainability programs in those origins. We believe that ingredients produced in a sustainable manner will grow in importance to our customers and, as a result, will favor suppliers who are able to deliver these products.39Item 7A.   Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk Interest Rate RiskWe generally use both fixed and floating interest rate debt to finance our operations. Changes in market interest rates expose us to changes in cash flows for floating rate instruments and to changes in fair value for fixed-rate instruments. We normally maintain a proportion of our debt in both variable and fixed interest rates to manage this exposure, and from time to time we may enter hedge agreements to swap the interest rates. In addition, our customers may pay market rates of interest for inventory purchased on order, which could mitigate a portion of the floating interest rate exposure. We also periodically have large cash balances and may receive deposits from customers, both of which we use to fund seasonal purchases of tobacco, reducing our financing needs. Excluding the portion of our bank term loans that have been converted to fixed-rate borrowings with interest rate swaps, debt carried at variable interest rates was approximately $727 million at March 31, 2024. Although a hypothetical 1% change in short-term interest rates would result in a change in annual interest expense of approximately $3.1 million, that amount would be at least partially mitigated by changes in charges to customers. In addition, changes in interest rates affect the calculation of our pension plan liabilities. As rates decrease, the liability for the present value of amounts expected to be paid under the plans increases. Rate changes also affect expense. As of the March 31, 2024 measurement date, a 1% decrease in the discount rate would have increased the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for pensions by $27 million and increased annual pension expense by $2 million. Conversely, a 1% increase in the discount rate would have reduced the PBO by $23 million and reduced annual pension expense by $1 million.Currency RiskThe international leaf tobacco trade generally is conducted in U.S. dollars, thereby limiting foreign exchange risk to that which is related to leaf purchase and production costs, overhead, and income taxes in the source country. We also provide farmer advances that are directly related to leaf purchases and are denominated in the local currency. Any currency gains or losses on those advances are usually offset by increases or decreases in the cost of tobacco, which is priced in the local currency. However, the effect of the offset may not occur until a subsequent quarter or fiscal year. Most of our tobacco operations are accounted for using the U.S. dollar as the functional currency. Because there are no forward foreign exchange markets in many of our major countries of tobacco origin, we often manage our foreign exchange risk by matching funding for inventory purchases with the currency of sale, which is usually the U.S. dollar, and by minimizing our net local currency monetary position in individual countries. We are vulnerable to currency remeasurement gains and losses to the extent that monetary assets and liabilities denominated in local currency do not offset each other. We recognized net remeasurement losses of $5.1 million and $19.0 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2022, respectively, and net remeasurement gains of $3.9 million in fiscal year 2023. We recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of $3.2 million and $8.8 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, and net foreign currency transaction gains of $18.0 million in fiscal year 2022. In addition to foreign exchange gains and losses, we are exposed to changes in the cost of tobacco due to changes in the value of the local currency in relation to the U.S. dollar. We have entered forward currency exchange contracts to hedge against the effects of currency movements on purchases of tobacco to reduce the volatility of costs. In addition, we periodically enter into forward contracts to hedge balance sheet exposures. See Note 11 to the consolidated financial statements in Item 8 for additional information about our hedging activities.In certain tobacco markets that are primarily domestic, we use the local currency as the functional currency. Examples of these markets are Poland and the Philippines. In other markets, such as Western Europe, where export sales are primarily in local currencies, we also use the local currency as the functional currency. In each case, reported earnings are affected by the translation of the local currency into the U.S. dollar.Hedging RiskHedging interest rate exposure using swaps and hedging foreign currency exchange rate exposure using forward contracts are specifically contemplated to manage risk in keeping with management's policies. We may use derivative instruments, such as swaps, forwards, options, or futures, which are based directly or indirectly upon interest rates and currencies to manage and reduce the risks inherent in interest rate and currency fluctuations. When we use foreign currency derivatives to mitigate our exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, we may choose not to designate them as hedges for accounting purposes, which may result in the effects of the derivatives being recognized in our earnings in periods different from the items that created the exposure.We do not utilize derivatives for speculative purposes, and we do not enter into market risk-sensitive instruments for trading purposes. Derivatives are transaction-specific so that a specific debt instrument, forecast purchase, contract, or invoice determines the amount, maturity, and other specifics of the hedge. We routinely review counterparty risk as part of our derivative program.40Item 8.   Financial Statements and Supplementary Data     UNIVERSAL CORPORATION CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands of dollars, except share and per share data)202420232022Sales and other operating revenues$2,748,573 $2,569,824 $2,103,601 Costs and expensesCost of goods sold2,212,475 2,111,539 1,694,675 Selling, general and administrative expenses310,566 277,213 240,686 Other income— — (2,532)Restructuring and impairment costs3,523 — 10,457 Operating income222,009 181,072 160,315 Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates756 2,383 6,095 Other non-operating income3,084 1,791 2,687 Interest income4,504 6,023 917 Interest expense66,273 49,300 27,747 Income before income taxes164,080 141,969 142,267 Income taxes31,109 11,733 38,663 Net income132,971 130,236 103,604 Less:  net income attributable to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries(13,373)(6,184)(17,027)Net income attributable to Universal Corporation$119,598 $124,052 $86,577 Earnings per share:Basic$4.81 $5.01 $3.50 Diluted$4.78 $4.97 $3.47 Weighted average common shares outstanding:Basic24,851,858 24,773,710 24,764,177 Diluted25,040,914 24,943,841 24,922,896 See accompanying notes.41UNIVERSAL CORPORATION     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands of dollars)202420232022Net income$132,971 $130,236 $103,604 Other comprehensive income (loss):Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes(1,531)(3,166)(6,367)Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes(5,515)1,320 3,993 Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes3,235 6,113 18,620 Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes(1,666)3,089 5,943 Total other comprehensive income (loss), net of income taxes(5,477)7,356 22,189 Total comprehensive income127,494 137,592 125,793 Less: comprehensive income attributable to noncontrolling interests(12,424)(6,286)(16,490)Comprehensive income attributable to Universal Corporation$115,070 $131,306 $109,303 See accompanying notes.42UNIVERSAL CORPORATION     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS March 31,(in thousands of dollars)20242023ASSETSCurrent assetsCash and cash equivalents$55,593 $64,690 Accounts receivable, net525,262 402,073 Advances to suppliers, net139,064 170,801 Accounts receivable—unconsolidated affiliates5,385 12,210 Inventories—at lower of cost or net realizable value:Tobacco1,070,580 833,876 Other193,518 202,907 Prepaid income taxes19,484 16,493 Other current assets93,655 99,840 Total current assets2,102,541 1,802,890 Property, plant and equipmentLand26,244 24,926 Buildings323,969 311,138 Machinery and equipment693,868 689,220 1,044,081 1,025,284 Less accumulated depreciation(678,201)(674,122)365,880 351,162 Other assetsOperating lease right-of-use assets32,510 40,505 Goodwill, net213,869 213,922 Other intangibles, net68,883 80,101 Investments in unconsolidated affiliates76,289 76,184 Deferred income taxes15,181 13,091 Pension asset11,857 9,984 Other noncurrent assets50,229 51,343 468,818 485,130 Total assets$2,937,239 $2,639,182 43UNIVERSAL CORPORATION     CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS—(Continued) March 31,(in thousands of dollars)20242023LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITYCurrent liabilitiesNotes payable and overdrafts$417,217 $195,564 Accounts payable108,727 83,213 Accounts payable—unconsolidated affiliates1,621 5,830 Customer advances and deposits17,179 3,061 Accrued compensation39,766 33,108 Income taxes payable7,477 3,274 Current portion of operating lease liabilities10,356 11,404 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities109,015 106,533 Current portion of long-term debt— — Total current liabilities711,358 441,987 Long-term debt617,364 616,809 Pensions and other postretirement benefits43,251 42,769 Long-term operating lease liabilities19,302 25,540 Other long-term liabilities27,902 32,512 Deferred income taxes39,139 42,613 Total liabilities1,458,316 1,202,230 Shareholders’ equityUniversal Corporation:Preferred stock:Series A Junior Participating Preferred Stock, no par value, 500,000 shares authorized, none issued or outstanding— — Common stock, no par value, 100,000,000 shares authorized, 24,573,408 shares issued and outstanding (24,555,361 at March 31, 2023)345,596 337,247 Retained earnings1,173,196 1,136,898 Accumulated other comprehensive loss(81,585)(77,057)Total Universal Corporation shareholders' equity1,437,207 1,397,088 Noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries41,716 39,864 Total shareholders' equity1,478,923 1,436,952 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity$2,937,239 $2,639,182 See accompanying notes.44UNIVERSAL CORPORATION     CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands of dollars)202420232022Cash Flows From Operating Activities:Net income$132,971 $130,236 $103,604 Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:Depreciation and amortization58,326 57,300 52,521 Provision for losses (recoveries) on advances14,090 10,584 5,988 Inventory write-downs9,234 13,995 19,944 Stock-based compensation expense12,063 8,420 6,187 Foreign currency remeasurement loss (gain), net5,114 (3,892)19,029 Foreign currency exchange contracts(365)14,163 (13,210)Deferred income taxes(5,404)(7,657)(2,473)Equity in net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends(1,239)4,010 (329)Brazil tax ruling— (29,236)— Restructuring and impairment costs3,523 — 10,457 Restructuring payments(1,181)— (4,134)Change in estimated fair value of contingent consideration for FruitSmart acquisition— — (2,532)Other, net1,001 (6,249)512 Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net:Accounts and notes receivable(109,681)(74,657)(23,185)Inventories(236,243)(41,867)(245,920)Other assets(768)10,821 (15,991)Accounts payable20,806 (84,588)108,746 Accrued expenses and other current liabilities8,414 3,365 14,356 Income taxes342 (7,811)6,644 Customer advances and deposits14,365 (7,494)4,668   Net cash provided (used) by operating activities(74,632)(10,557)44,882 Cash Flows From Investing Activities:Purchase of property, plant and equipment(66,013)(54,674)(53,203)Purchase of business, net of cash held by the business— — (102,462)Proceeds from sale of business, less cash of businesses sold3,757 3,245 — Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment2,257 1,079 13,004   Net cash used by investing activities(59,999)(50,350)(142,661)Cash Flows From Financing Activities:Issuance (repayment) of short-term debt, net223,000 24,712 79,286 Issuance of long-term debt— 123,481 — Repayment of long-term debt— (23,481)— Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests in subsidiaries(10,572)(10,221)(13,390)Repurchase of common stock(4,744)(3,448)(3,053)Dividends paid on common stock(78,402)(77,391)(76,436)Proceeds from termination of interest rate swap agreements— 11,786 — Debt issuance costs and other(3,607)(6,489)(3,167)  Net cash provided (used) by financing activities125,675 38,949 (16,760)Effect of exchange rate changes on cash(141)(1,000)(1,034)Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents(9,097)(22,958)(115,573)Cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year64,690 87,648 203,221 Cash, Restricted Cash and Cash Equivalents at End of Year$55,593 $64,690 $87,648 Supplemental Information:Cash and cash equivalents$55,593 $64,690 $81,648 Restricted cash (Other noncurrent assets)— — 6,000 Total cash, restricted cash and cash equivalents$55,593 $64,690 $87,648 Supplemental information—cash paid for:Interest$61,084 $49,882 $27,113 Income taxes, net of refunds$38,084 $49,073 $33,010 See accompanying notes.45UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY Universal Corporation Shareholders  (in thousands of dollars)CommonStockRetained EarningsAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome(Loss)Non-controllingInterestsTotalShareholders'EquityFiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024     Balance at beginning of year$337,247 $1,136,898 $(77,057)$39,864 $1,436,952  Changes in common stockRepurchase of common stock(1,373)— — — (1,373)Accrual of stock-based compensation12,063 — — — 12,063 Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes(3,607)— — — (3,607)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)1,266 — — — 1,266 Changes in retained earningsNet income— 119,598 — 13,373 132,971 Cash dividends declared on common stock ($3.20 per share)— (78,663)— — (78,663)Repurchase of common stock— (3,371)— — (3,371)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)— (1,266)— — (1,266)Other comprehensive income (loss)Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes— — (582)(949)(1,531)Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes— — (5,515)— (5,515)Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes— — 3,235 — 3,235 Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes— — (1,666)— (1,666)Other changes in noncontrolling interestsDividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders— — — (10,572)(10,572)Balance at end of year$345,596 $1,173,196 $(81,585)$41,716 $1,478,923 46UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) Universal Corporation Shareholders  (in thousands of dollars)CommonStockRetained EarningsAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome(Loss)Non-controllingInterestsTotalShareholders'EquityFiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023     Balance at beginning of year$330,662 $1,094,192 $(84,311)$44,226 $1,384,769  Changes in common stockRepurchase of common stock(893)— — — (893)Accrual of stock-based compensation8,420 — — — 8,420 Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes(2,090)— — — (2,090)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)1,148 — — — 1,148 Changes in retained earningsNet income— 124,052 — 6,184 130,236 Cash dividends declared on common stock ($3.16 per share)— (77,643)— — (77,643)Repurchase of common stock— (2,555)— — (2,555)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)— (1,148)— — (1,148)Other comprehensive income (loss)Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes— — (3,268)102 (3,166)Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes— — 1,320 — 1,320 Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes— — 6,113 — 6,113 Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes— — 3,089 — 3,089 Other changes in noncontrolling interestsDividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders— — — (10,221)(10,221)Other— — — (427)(427)Balance at end of year$337,247 $1,136,898 $(77,057)$39,864 $1,436,952 47UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) Universal Corporation Shareholders  (in thousands of dollars)CommonStockRetained EarningsAccumulatedOtherComprehensiveIncome(Loss)Non-controllingInterestsTotalShareholders'EquityFiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022Balance at beginning of year$326,673 $1,087,663 $(107,037)$41,126 $1,348,425  Changes in common stockRepurchase of common stock(782)— — — (782)Accrual of stock-based compensation6,187 — — — 6,187 Withholding of shares from stock-based compensation for grantee income taxes(2,486)— — — (2,486)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)1,070 — — — 1,070 Changes in retained earningsNet income— 86,577 — 17,027 103,604 Cash dividends declared on common stock ($3.12 per share)(76,707)— — (76,707)Repurchase of common stock— (2,271)— — (2,271)Dividend equivalents on restricted stock units (RSUs)— (1,070)— — (1,070)Other comprehensive income (loss)Foreign currency translation, net of income taxes— — (5,830)(537)(6,367)Foreign currency hedge, net of income taxes— — 3,993 — 3,993 Interest rate hedge, net of income taxes— — 18,620 — 18,620 Pension and other postretirement benefit plans, net of income taxes— — 5,943 — 5,943 Other changes in noncontrolling interestsDividends paid to noncontrolling shareholders— — — (13,390)(13,390)Balance at end of year$330,662 $1,094,192 $(84,311)$44,226 $1,384,769 48UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONCONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY—(Continued) Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Common Shares Outstanding:       Balance at beginning of year24,555,361 24,550,019 24,514,867     Issuance of common stock118,047 71,466 93,416     Repurchase of common stock(100,000)(66,124)(58,264)    Balance at end of year24,573,408 24,555,361 24,550,019 See accompanying notes.49UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS(All dollar amounts are in thousands, except per share amounts or as otherwise noted.)NOTE 1.   NATURE OF OPERATIONS AND SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIESNature of OperationsUniversal Corporation, which together with its subsidiaries is referred to herein as “Universal” or the “Company,” is a global business-to-business agriproducts company. The Company is the leading global leaf tobacco supplier and provides high-quality plant-based ingredients to food and beverage end markets. The Company conducts its leaf tobacco business in over 30 countries, primarily in major tobacco-producing regions of the world. ConsolidationThe consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Universal Corporation and all domestic and foreign subsidiaries in which the Company maintains a controlling financial interest. Control is generally determined based on a voting interest of greater than 50%, such that Universal controls all significant corporate activities of the subsidiary. All significant intercompany accounts and transactions are eliminated in consolidation. The equity method of accounting is used for investments in companies where Universal Corporation has a voting interest of 20% to 50%. These investments are accounted for under the equity method because Universal exercises significant influence over those companies, but not control. The Company received no dividends in fiscal year 2024, $5.6 million in fiscal year 2023, and $4.3 million in fiscal year 2022, from companies accounted for under the equity method. Investments where Universal has a voting interest of less than 20% are not significant and do not have readily determinable fair values. As such, the Company has elected the alternate method of measuring these investments at cost, less any impairment. The Company's 49% ownership interest in Socotab L.L.C. (“Socotab”), a leading supplier of oriental tobaccos with operations located principally in Eastern Europe and Turkey, is the primary investment accounted for under the equity method. The investment in Socotab is an important part of the Company's overall product and service arrangements with its major customers. The Company reviews the carrying value of its investments in Socotab and its other unconsolidated affiliates on a regular basis and considers whether any factors exist that might indicate an impairment in value that is other than temporary. The Company's operations in Zimbabwe are deconsolidated under accounting requirements that apply under certain conditions to foreign subsidiaries that are subject to foreign exchange controls and other government restrictions. The investment in the Zimbabwe operations is accounted for at cost and was zero at March 31, 2024 and 2023. The Company has a net foreign currency translation loss associated with the Zimbabwe operations of approximately $7.2 million, which remains a component of accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2024. As a regular part of its reporting, the Company reviews the conditions that resulted in the deconsolidation of the Zimbabwe operations to confirm that such accounting treatment is still appropriate. Dividends from the Zimbabwe operations are recorded in income in the period received. The Company holds less than a 100% financial interest in certain consolidated subsidiaries. The net income and shareholders’ equity attributable to the noncontrolling interests in these subsidiaries are reported on the face of the consolidated financial statements. There were no material changes in the Company’s ownership percentage in any of these subsidiaries during fiscal years 2024, 2023, or 2022.Investments in Unconsolidated AffiliatesThe Company’s investments in its unconsolidated affiliates, which include its Zimbabwe operations, are non-marketable securities. Universal reviews such investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an investment may not be recovered. For example, the Company would review such an investment for impairment if the investee were to lose a significant customer, suffer a large reduction in sales margins, experience a major change in its business environment, or undergo any other significant change in its normal business. In assessing the recoverability of these investments, the Company follows the applicable accounting guidance in determining the fair value of the investments. In most cases, this involves the use of undiscounted and discounted cash flow models (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). If the fair value of an unconsolidated investee is determined to be lower than its carrying value, an impairment loss is recognized. The determination of fair value using discounted cash flow models is normally not based on observable market data from independent sources and therefore requires significant management judgment with respect to estimates of future operating earnings and the selection of an appropriate discount rate. The use of different assumptions could increase or decrease estimated future operating cash flows, and the discounted value of those cash flows, and therefore could increase or decrease any impairment charge related to these investments. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized an immaterial impairment of an investment in an equity method investee in Africa.In its consolidated statements of income, the Company reports its proportional share of the earnings of unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method based on the pretax earnings of those affiliates, as permitted under the applicable accounting guidance. All applicable foreign and U.S. income taxes are provided on these earnings and reported as a component of 50UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)consolidated income tax expense. For unconsolidated affiliates located in foreign jurisdictions, repatriation of the Company’s share of the earnings through dividends is assumed in determining consolidated income tax expense. The following table provides a reconciliation of (1) equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, as reported in the consolidated statements of income to (2) equity in the net income of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends, as reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Equity in pretax earnings reported in the consolidated statements of income$756 $2,383 $6,095 Less:  Equity in income taxes483 (781)(1,481)Equity in net income1,239 1,602 4,614 Less:  Dividends received on investments (1) — (5,612)(4,285)Equity in net income, net of dividends, reported in the consolidated statements of cash flows$1,239 $(4,010)$329 (1)    In accordance with the applicable accounting guidance, dividends received from unconsolidated affiliates accounted for on the equity method that represent a return on capital (i.e., a return of earnings on a cumulative basis) are presented as operating cash flows in the consolidated statements of cash flows.Earnings Per Share  The Company calculates basic earnings per share based on Net income attributable to Universal Corporation. The calculation uses the weighted average number of common shares outstanding during each period. Diluted earnings per share is computed in a similar manner using the weighted average number of common shares and dilutive potential common shares outstanding. Dilutive potential common shares include unvested restricted stock units and performance share units that are assumed to be fully vested and paid out in shares of common stock.Calculations of earnings per share for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, are provided in Note 5.Cash, Restricted Cash, and Cash Equivalents All highly liquid investments with a maturity of three months or less at the time of purchase are classified as cash equivalents. Restricted cash was associated with the acquisition of Silva International, Inc. ("Silva") and was recognized as a component of other noncurrent assets at March 31, 2022. The restricted cash associated with the Silva acquisition was released to the selling shareholder during the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. See Note 2 for more information about the release of restricted cash.Advances to Tobacco SuppliersIn many sourcing origins where the Company operates, it provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production, or makes seasonal cash advances to farmers for the procurement of those inputs. These advances are typically short term, are repaid upon delivery of tobacco to the Company, and are reported in advances to suppliers in the consolidated balance sheets. In several origins, the Company has made long-term advances to tobacco farmers to finance curing barns and other farm infrastructure. In some years, due to low crop yields and other factors, individual farmers may not deliver sufficient volumes of tobacco to fully repay their seasonal advances, and the Company may extend repayment of those advances into future crop years. The long-term portion of advances is included in other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets. Both the current and the long-term portions of advances to tobacco suppliers are reported net of allowances recorded when the Company determines that amounts outstanding are not likely to be collected. Short-term and long-term advances to tobacco suppliers totaled approximately $162 million at March 31, 2024 and $199 million at March 31, 2023. The related valuation allowances totaled $20 million at March 31, 2024, and $24 million at March 31, 2023, and were estimated based on the Company’s historical loss information and crop projections. The allowances were increased by net provisions for estimated uncollectible amounts of approximately $14.1 million in fiscal year 2024, $10.6 million in fiscal year 2023, and $6.0 million in fiscal year 2022. These net provisions are included in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated statements of income. Interest on advances is recognized in earnings upon the farmers’ delivery of tobacco in payment of principal and interest. Advances on which interest accruals had been discontinued totaled approximately $2 million and $3 million at March 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.InventoriesInventories are valued at the lower of cost or net realizable value. Raw materials primarily consist of unprocessed leaf tobacco, which is clearly identified by type and grade at the time of purchase. The Company tracks the costs associated with this 51UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)tobacco in the final product lots, and maintains this identification through the time of sale. This method of cost accounting is referred to as the specific cost or specific identification method. The predominant cost component of the Company’s inventories is the cost of the unprocessed tobacco. Direct and indirect processing costs related to these raw materials are capitalized and allocated to inventory in a systematic manner. The Company does not capitalize any interest or sales-related costs in inventory. In-bound freight costs are recorded in cost of goods sold. Other inventories consist primarily of unprocessed and processed food and vegetable ingredients, botanical extracts, seed, fertilizer, packing materials, and other supplies, and are valued using the specific cost method.Recoverable Value-Added Tax CreditsIn many foreign countries, the Company’s local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of value-added tax (“VAT”) on purchases of unprocessed and processed tobacco, crop inputs, packing materials, and various other goods and services. In some countries, VAT is a national tax, and in other countries it is assessed at the state level. Items subject to VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction, as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. When tobacco is sold to customers in the country of origin, the operating subsidiaries generally collect VAT on those sales. The subsidiaries are normally permitted to offset their VAT payments against the collections and remit only the incremental VAT collections to the tax authorities. When tobacco is sold for export, VAT is normally not assessed. In countries where tobacco sales are predominantly for export markets, VAT collections generated on downstream sales are often not sufficient to fully offset the subsidiaries’ VAT payments. In those situations, unused VAT credits can accumulate. Some jurisdictions have procedures that allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process often takes an extended period of time, and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected in part on technical grounds. Other jurisdictions may permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions, although approval for such transactions must normally be obtained from the tax authorities, limits on the amounts that can be transferred may be imposed, and the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Due to these factors, local operating subsidiaries in some countries can accumulate significant balances of VAT credits over time. The Company reviews these balances on a regular basis and records valuation allowances on the credits to reflect amounts that are not expected to be recovered, as well as discounts anticipated on credits that are expected to be sold or transferred. At March 31, 2024 and 2023, the aggregate balances of recoverable tax credits held by the Company’s subsidiaries totaled approximately $72 million and $64 million, respectively, and the related valuation allowances totaled approximately $21 million and $22 million, respectively. The net balances are reported in other current assets and other noncurrent assets in the consolidated balance sheets.Property, Plant and Equipment Depreciation of property, plant and equipment is based upon historical cost and the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation is calculated primarily using the straight-line method. Buildings include processing and blending facilities, offices, and warehouses. Machinery and equipment consists of processing and packing machinery and transport, office, and computer equipment. Estimated useful lives range as follows: buildings - 15 to 40 years; processing and packing machinery - 3 to 11 years; transport equipment - 3 to 10 years; and office and computer equipment - 3 to 12 years. Where applicable and material in amount, the Company capitalizes related interest costs during periods that property, plant and equipment are being constructed or made ready for service. No interest was capitalized in fiscal years 2024, 2023, or 2022.LeasesThe Company determines if an arrangement meets the definition of a lease at inception. The Company, as a lessee, enters into operating leases for land, buildings, equipment, and vehicles. For all operating leases with terms greater than 12 months and with fixed payment arrangements, a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset are recognized in the balance sheet for the term of the lease by calculating the net present value of future lease payments. On the date of lease commencement, the present value of lease liabilities is determined by discounting the future lease payments by the Company’s collateralized incremental borrowing rate, adjusted for the lease term and currency of the lease payments. If a lease contains a renewal option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company accounts for the original lease term and expected renewal term in the calculation of the lease liability and right-of-use asset. Certain of the Company’s leases include both lease and non-lease components (e.g., common-area or other maintenance costs) which are accounted for as a single lease component, as the Company has elected the practical expedient to group lease and non-lease components for real estate leases. Additional disclosures related to the Company's leases are provided in Note 10.Goodwill and Other Intangibles Goodwill and other intangibles are disclosed in Note 7. Goodwill principally consists of the excess of the purchase price of acquired companies over the fair value of the net assets. Goodwill is carried at the lower of cost or fair value and is reviewed for potential impairment on an annual basis as of the end of the fiscal year. 52UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Reporting units are distinct operating subsidiaries or groups of subsidiaries that typically compose the Company’s business in a specific country or location. Goodwill is allocated to reporting units based on the country or location to which a specific acquisition relates, or by allocation based on expected future cash flows if the acquisition relates to more than one country or location. The majority of the Company’s goodwill relates to its reporting unit in Brazil and reporting units in the Ingredients operating segment. See Notes 2 and 7 for additional information. Significant adverse changes in the operations or estimated future cash flows for a reporting unit with recorded goodwill could result in an impairment charge.Accounting Standards Codification Topic 350 ("ASC 350") permits companies to base initial assessments of potential goodwill impairment on qualitative factors, but also allows companies to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative assessment. The Company elected to bypass the qualitative assessment and perform a quantitative assessment of goodwill impairment at March 31, 2024. The quantitative goodwill assessment consists of comparing the fair value of each reporting unit to the carrying value of that reporting unit. In the event that the carrying value of the reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment of the reporting unit's goodwill is recognized, up to the amount of goodwill allocated to that reporting unit. Fair value was assessed using a discounted cash flow model, comprised of estimates of future cash flows and discount rates. Based on this quantitative assessment, the Company determined there was no impairment of goodwill for any of its reporting units as of March 31, 2024.The Company elected to use the qualitative approach at March 31, 2023. The qualitative assessment did not indicate that it was more likely than not that the fair value of any of the reporting units was less than their respective carrying value, therefore no potential impairment of the Company's recorded goodwill was noted as of that date. Other intangibles principally consists of finite lived intangible assets including customer-related intangibles, trade names, developed technology, and noncompetition agreements. Intangible assets acquired in a business combination are recorded at fair value using a discounted cash flow approach. A discounted cash flow approach to value intangible assets requires assumptions about the timing, amount, and probability of future net cash flows, as well as the discount rate and market participant considerations. Other intangibles are amortized on a straight-line basis over the intangible asset's economic life.Impairment of Long-Lived Assets  The Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment, disclosed in Note 4 and Note 12, whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired. Potential impairment is initially assessed by comparing management’s undiscounted estimates of future cash flows from the use or disposition of the assets to their carrying value. If the carrying value exceeds the undiscounted cash flows, an impairment charge is recorded to reduce the carrying value of the asset to its fair value determined in accordance with the accounting guidance. In many cases, this involves the use of discounted cash flow models that are not based on observable market data from independent sources (Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy under the accounting guidance). Income Taxes The Company provides deferred income taxes on temporary differences between the book and tax basis of its assets and liabilities. Those differences arise principally from employee benefit accruals, depreciation, deferred compensation, undistributed earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, undistributed earnings of foreign subsidiaries, goodwill, intangibles, and valuation allowances on farmer advances and VAT credits. Income taxes provided on pretax amounts recorded in accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) are released when the related pretax amounts are reclassified to earnings. Additional disclosures related to the Company's income taxes are disclosed in Note 6.Fair Values of Financial InstrumentsThe fair value of the Company’s long-term debt, disclosed in Note 12, approximates the carrying amount since the variable interest rates in the underlying credit agreement reflect the market interest rates that were available to the Company at March 31, 2024. In periods when fixed-rate obligations are outstanding, fair values are estimated using market prices where they are available or discounted cash flow models based on current incremental borrowing rates for similar classes of borrowers and borrowing arrangements. The fair values of interest rate swap agreements designated as cash flow hedges and used to fix the variable benchmark rate on outstanding long-term debt are determined separately and recorded in other long-term liabilities. Except for interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are discussed below, the fair values of all other assets and liabilities that qualify as financial instruments approximate their carrying amounts.Derivative Financial InstrumentsThe Company recognizes all derivatives on the balance sheet at fair value. Interest rate swaps and forward foreign currency exchange contracts are used from time to time to manage interest rate risk and foreign currency risk. The Company enters into such contracts only with counterparties of good standing. The credit exposure related to non-performance by the counterparties and the Company is considered in determining the fair values of the derivatives, and the effect has not been 53UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)material to the financial statements or operations of the Company. Additional disclosures related to the Company’s derivatives and hedging activities are provided in Note 11.Translation and Remeasurement of Foreign CurrenciesThe financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the local currency as the functional currency are translated into U.S. dollars using exchange rates in effect at period end for assets and liabilities and average exchange rates applicable to each reporting period for results of operations. Adjustments resulting from translation of financial statements are reflected as a separate component of other comprehensive income or loss. The financial statements of foreign subsidiaries having the U.S. dollar as the functional currency, with certain transactions denominated in a local currency, are remeasured into U.S. dollars. The remeasurement of local currency amounts into U.S. dollars creates remeasurement gains and losses that are included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company recognized net remeasurement losses of $5.1 million and $19.0 million in fiscal years 2024 and 2022, respectively, and net remeasurement gains of $3.9 million in fiscal year 2023. Foreign currency transactions and forward foreign currency exchange contracts that are not designated as hedges generate gains and losses when they are settled or when they are marked-to-market under the prescribed accounting guidance. These transaction gains and losses are also included in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The Company recognized net foreign currency transaction losses of  $3.2 million and $8.8 million  in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, respectively, and net foreign currency transaction gains of $18.0 million in fiscal year 2022 .Customer Advances and Deposits            From time to time, the Company receives advances and deposits from customers for future delivery of finished goods. The advance payments are applied against customer receivables after performance obligations are completed and recognition of revenue is appropriate. Revenue Recognition Revenue is recognized when the Company completes its performance obligation for the transfer of products and services under its contractual arrangements with customers. For sales of tobacco, satisfaction of the performance obligation and recognition of the corresponding revenue is based on the transfer of the ownership and control of the product to the customer. A large percentage of the Company’s sales are to major multinational manufacturers of consumer tobacco products. The Company works closely with those customers to understand and plan for their requirements for volumes, styles, and grades of leaf tobacco from its various growing regions, and extensive coordination is maintained on an ongoing basis to determine and satisfy their requirements for transfer of ownership and physical shipment of processed tobacco. The customers typically specify, in sales contracts and in shipping documents, the precise terms for transfer of title and risk of loss for the tobacco. Customer returns and rejections are not significant, and the Company’s sales history indicates that customer-specific acceptance provisions are consistently met upon transfer of title and risk of loss.While most of the Company’s revenue is derived from tobacco that is purchased from farmers, processed and packed in its factories, and then sold to customers, some revenue is earned from processing tobacco owned by customers and from other value-added services. The arrangements for processing services usually exist in specific markets where the customers contract directly with farmers for leaf production, and they have accounted for less than 5% of total revenue on an annual basis through the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024. Processing and packing of leaf tobacco is a short-duration process. Under normal operating conditions, raw tobacco that is placed into the production line exits as processed and packed tobacco within one hour, and is then later transported to customer-designated storage facilities. The revenue for these services is recognized when the performance obligation is met upon the completion of processing, and the Company's operating history indicates that customer requirements for processed tobacco are consistently met upon completion of processing.The Company has diversified its operations through acquisition of established companies that offer customers a wide range of both liquid and dehydrated fruit and vegetable ingredient products, as well as botanical extracts and flavors. These operations procure raw materials from domestic and international growers and suppliers and through a variety of processing steps (including sorting, cleaning, pressing, mixing, extracting, and blending), manufacture finished goods utilized in both human and pet food. The contracts for food ingredients with customers create a performance obligation to transfer the manufactured finished goods to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of food ingredients are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the finished product, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale. Additional disclosures related to the Company's revenue from contracts with customers are provided in Note 3.54UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Stock-Based CompensationShare-based payments, such as grants of restricted stock units, performance share units, restricted stock, stock appreciation rights, and stock options, are measured at fair value and reported as expense in the financial statements over the requisite service or performance  periods. Additional disclosures related to stock-based compensation are included in Note 15.Estimates and Assumptions The preparation of financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Accounting Pronouncements Pronouncements Adopted in Fiscal Year 2022The Company adopted FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2019-12, “Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes” (“ASU 2019-12”) effective April 1, 2021. ASU 2019-12 eliminates certain exceptions related to the approach for intraperiod tax allocation, the methodology for calculating income taxes in an interim period, and the recognition of deferred tax liabilities for outside basis differences related to changes in ownership of equity method investments and foreign subsidiaries. The updated guidance also simplifies aspects of accounting for franchise taxes and enacted changes in tax laws or rates, and clarifies the accounting for transactions that result in a step-up in the tax basis of goodwill. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements from the adoption of ASU 2019-12.Pronouncements Adopted in Fiscal Year 2023In March 2020, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2020-04, “Reference Rate Reform (Topic 848) - Facilitation of the Effects of Reference Rate Reform on Financial Reporting” (“ASU 2020-04”). ASU 2020-04 provides optional expedients and exceptions related to contract modifications and hedge accounting to address the transitions from the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and other interbank offered rates to alternative reference rates. The guidance permits an entity to consider contract modification due to reference rate reform to be an event that does not require contract remeasurement at the modification date or reassessment of a previous accounting determination. ASU 2020-04 also temporarily allows hedge relationships to continue without de-designation upon changes due to reference rate reform. The Company adopted the new standard effective December 31, 2022. There was no material impact to the consolidated financial statements from the adoption of ASU 2020-04.Accounting Pronouncements to be Adopted in Future YearsIn November 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-07, "Segment Reporting (Topic 280) - Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures" ("ASU 2023-07"). ASU 2023-07 requires additional disclosures about profitability measures utilized by the chief operating decision maker and significant segment expenses. ASU 2023-07 also requires all annual disclosures regarding profit or loss and assets to be included in interim disclosures. ASU 2023-07 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2023 and for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its operating segments disclosures.In December 2023, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update No. 2023-09, "Income Taxes (Topic 740) - Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures" ("ASU 2023-09"). ASU 2023-09 requires additional disclosures reconciling the rates of different categories of income tax  (i.e. federal , state, foreign, etc.) and a disaggregation of taxes paid and refunded. ASU 2023-09 is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2024 and for interim periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2025, although early adoption is permitted. The Company is currently evaluating the impact of adopting this standard on its income tax disclosures.Reclassifications Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year’s presentation. NOTE 2.   BUSINESS COMBINATIONSAcquisition of Shank's Extracts, LLCOn October 4, 2021, the Company acquired 100% of the capital stock of Shank's Extract's, LLC (“Shank's”), a flavors and botanical extracts processing company, for approximately $100 million in cash and $2.4 million of additional working capital on-hand at the date of acquisition. The acquisition of Shank's diversifies the Company's product offerings and generates new opportunities for its plant-based ingredients platform. 55UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)A portion of the goodwill recorded as part of the acquisition was attributable to the assembled workforce of Shank's. The goodwill and intangibles recognized for the Shank's acquisition are deductible for U.S. income tax purposes. The transaction was treated as an asset acquisition for U.S. Federal tax purposes, resulting in a step-up of tax basis to fair value. The Company determined the Shank's operations are not material to the Company’s consolidated results. Therefore, pro forma information is not presented.For the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Company incurred $2.3 million for acquisition-related transaction costs for the purchase of Shank's. The acquisition-related costs were expensed as incurred and recorded in selling, general, and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income.In November 2021, the Company acquired the land and buildings utilized by Shank's operations for $13.3 million. The purchase of the land and buildings resulted in the elimination of the $8.5 million operating lease right-of-use asset and lease liability recognized on the acquisition date for Shank's. The following table summarizes the final purchase price allocations of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed for the Shank's acquisition.Shank'sAssetsOctober 4, 2021Cash and cash equivalents$754 Accounts receivable, net6,643 Inventory15,792 Other current assets415 Property, plant and equipment 11,000 Operating lease right-of-use assets8,531 IntangiblesCustomer relationships24,000 Developed technology4,500 Non-compete agreements3,000 Goodwill41,061 Total assets acquired115,696 LiabilitiesAccounts payable and accrued expenses6,159 Customer advances and deposits351 Accrued compensation655 Current portion operating lease liabilities8,531 Total liabilities assumed15,696 Total assets acquired and liabilities assumed$100,000 Restricted Cash Release of Deferred Proceeds from Acquisition of Silva International, Inc. During the three months ended December 31, 2022, the Company released $6.0 million, held in a third-party escrow account, to one of Silva's selling shareholders. The amounts were held in escrow since the date of acquisition, as the employee had a post-combination service requirement with forfeitable payment provisions. Therefore, under ASC Topic 805, "Business Combinations," the amounts held in escrow were treated as a contingent consideration arrangement and expensed as compensation expense in selling, general, and administrative expense on the consolidated statements of income. As of December 31, 2022, all amounts have been released to the selling shareholder, who remains employed by the Company, and expensed in the Company's consolidated statements of income.NOTE 3.  REVENUE FROM CONTRACTS WITH CUSTOMERSThe majority of the Company’s consolidated revenue consists of sales of processed leaf tobacco to customers. The Company also earns revenue from processing leaf tobacco owned by customers and from various other services provided to customers. Additionally, the Company has fruit and vegetable processing operations, as well as flavor and extract services that provide customers with a range of food ingredient products. Payment terms with customers vary depending on customer 56UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)creditworthiness, product types, services provided, and other factors. Contract durations and payment terms for all revenue categories generally do not exceed one year. Therefore, the Company has applied a practical expedient to not adjust the transaction price for the effects of financing components, as the Company expects that the period from the time the revenue for a transaction is recognized to the time the customer pays for the related good or service transferred will be one year or less. Below is a description of the major revenue-generating categories from contracts with customers.Tobacco SalesThe majority of the Company’s business involves purchasing leaf tobacco from farmers in the origins where it is grown, processing and packing the tobacco in its factories, and then transferring ownership and control of the tobacco to customers. On a much smaller basis, the Company also sources processed tobacco from third-party suppliers for resale to customers. The contracts for tobacco sales with customers create a performance obligation to transfer tobacco to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of tobacco are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices, but the Company does have a small number of cost-plus contracts with certain customers. Cost-plus arrangements provide the Company reimbursement of the cost to purchase and process the tobacco, plus a contractually agreed-upon profit margin. The Company utilizes the most likely amount methodology under the accounting guidance to recognize revenue for cost-plus arrangements with customers. Shipping and handling costs under tobacco sales contracts with customers are treated as fulfillment costs and included in the transaction price. Taxes assessed by government authorities on the sale of leaf tobacco products are excluded from the transaction price. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the tobacco, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale. Ingredient SalesThe Company has diversified operations through acquisition of established companies that offer customers a wide range of both liquid and dehydrated fruit and vegetable ingredient products, flavors, and botanical extracts. These operations procure raw materials from domestic and international growers and suppliers and through a variety of processing steps including sorting, cleaning, pressing, mixing, extracting, and blending to manufacture finished goods utilized in both human and pet food. The contracts for food ingredients with customers create a performance obligation to transfer the manufactured finished goods to the customer. Transaction prices for the sale of food ingredients are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices. At the point in time that the customer obtains control over the finished product, which is typically aligned with physical shipment under the contractual terms with the customer, the Company completes its performance obligation and recognizes the revenue for the sale. Processing RevenueProcessing and packing of customer-owned tobacco and ingredients is a short-duration process. Processing charges are primarily based on negotiated fixed prices per unit of weight processed. Under normal operating conditions, customer-owned raw materials that are placed into the production line exits as processed and packed product and is then later transported to customer-designated transfer locations. The revenue for these services is recognized when the performance obligation is satisfied, which is generally when processing is completed. The Company’s operating history and contract analyses indicate that customer requirements for processed tobacco and food ingredients products are consistently met upon completion of processing.Other Sales and Revenue from Contracts with CustomersFrom time to time, the Company enters into various arrangements with customers to provide other value-added services that may include blending, chemical and physical testing of products, storage, logistics, sorting, and tobacco cutting services for select manufacturers. These other arrangements and operations are a much smaller portion of the Company’s business, and are separate and distinct contractual agreements from the Company’s tobacco and food ingredients sales or third-party processing arrangements with customers. The transaction prices and timing of revenue recognition of these items are determined by the specifics of each contract. 57UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Disaggregation of Revenue from Contracts with CustomersThe following table disaggregates the Company’s revenue by significant revenue-generating category:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Tobacco sales$2,268,600 $2,093,493 $1,703,330 Ingredient sales292,291 294,302 250,595 Processing revenue82,976 78,357 77,048 Other sales and revenue from contracts with customers77,777 83,666 60,177    Total revenue from contracts with customers2,721,644 2,549,818 2,091,150 Other operating sales and revenues26,929 20,006 12,451    Consolidated sales and other operating revenues$2,748,573 $2,569,824 $2,103,601 Other operating sales and revenues consists principally of interest on advances to tobacco suppliers and dividend income from unconsolidated affiliates.Major CustomersA material part of the Company’s business is dependent upon a few customers. The Company’s six largest customers are Altria Group, Inc, British American Tobacco plc, China Tobacco International, Inc., Imperial Brands plc, Japan Tobacco, Inc., and Philip Morris International, Inc. In the aggregate, these customers have accounted for approximately 60% of consolidated revenue for each of the past three fiscal years. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, revenue from Philip Morris International, Inc. accounted for revenue of approximately $630 million, $460 million, and $320 million, respectively, Imperial Brands plc accounted for revenue of approximately $340 million, $430 million, and $380 million, respectively, and Japan Tobacco, Inc. accounted for revenue of approximately $260 million, $160 million, and $120 million, respectively. These customers do business with various affiliates in the Company’s Tobacco Operations segment. The loss of, or substantial reduction in business from, any of these customers could have a material adverse effect on the Company. NOTE 4.  RESTRUCTURING AND IMPAIRMENT COSTSDuring the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2022, Universal recorded restructuring and impairment costs related to business changes and various initiatives to adjust certain operations and reduce costs. There were no restructuring costs incurred for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024Tobacco OperationsDuring the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Company restructured operations at its Global Laboratory Services, Inc ("GLS") facility in Wilson, NC. GLS provides testing for crop protection agents and tobacco constituents in seed, leaf, and finished products, including e-cigarette liquids and vapors, and has capabilities for testing non-tobacco products. As a result of the restructuring of the GLS operations, the Company incurred $1.8 million of restructuring and impairment costs for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024.During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2024, the Company also incurred $1.7 million of termination and impairment costs in other areas of the Tobacco Operations segment.Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022Tobacco OperationsAs a result of efforts to exit the idled tobacco operations in Tanzania, the Company reevaluated the carrying values of property, plant, and equipment associated with the Tanzania operations. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Company determined the carrying value exceeded the estimated fair value of those assets and recognized a $9.4 million impairment charge. During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Company sold all outstanding common stock, which included all properties, of the idled companies in Tanzania for  $8.5 million.During the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Company also incurred $2.2 million of termination costs for the Tobacco Operations segment.58UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Ingredients OperationsDuring the fiscal year ended March 31, 2022, the Company recognized $1.2 million of net gains on the sale of the remaining property, plant, and equipment associated with the wind-down of the CIFI operations that was announced in fiscal year 2021. A summary of the restructuring and impairment costs incurred during the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 is as follows:Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 202420232022Restructuring Costs:Employee termination benefits$1,615 $— $2,174 Other restructuring costs(181)— (24)1,434 — 2,150 Impairment Costs:Property, plant, and equipment and other noncurrent assets2,089 — 8,307 Total restructuring and impairment costs$3,523 $— $10,457 A reconciliation of the Company’s liability for employee termination benefits and other restructuring costs for fiscal  years 2022 through 2024 is as follows: Employee Termination BenefitsOther CostsTotalBalance at April 1, 2021$1,370 $613 $1,983 Fiscal Year 2022 Activity:Costs charged to expense2,174 (24)2,150 Payments and write-offs(3,544)(589)(4,133)Balance at March 31, 2022— — — Fiscal Year 2023 Activity:Costs charged to expense— — — Payments and write-offs— — — Balance at March 31, 2023— — — Fiscal Year 2024 Activity:Costs charged to expense1,615 (181)1,434 Payments and write-offs(1,362)181 (1,181)Balance at March 31, 2024$253 $— $253  Universal continually reviews its business for opportunities to realize efficiencies, reduce costs, and realign its operations in response to business changes. The Company may incur additional restructuring and impairment costs in future periods as business changes occur and additional cost savings initiatives are implemented.59UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)NOTE 5.   EARNINGS PER SHARE The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per share:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands, except share and per share data)202420232022Basic Earnings Per ShareNumerator for basic earnings per shareNet income attributable to Universal Corporation$119,598 $124,052 $86,577 Denominator for basic earnings per shareWeighted average shares outstanding24,851,858 24,773,710 24,764,177  Basic earnings per share$4.81 $5.01 $3.50 Diluted Earnings Per ShareNumerator for diluted earnings per shareNet income attributable to Universal Corporation$119,598 $124,052 $86,577 Denominator for diluted earnings per share:Weighted average shares outstanding24,851,858 24,773,710 24,764,177 Effect of dilutive securities Employee and outside director share-based awards189,056 170,131 158,719 Denominator for diluted earnings per share25,040,914 24,943,841 24,922,896 Diluted earnings per share$4.78 $4.97 $3.47 NOTE 6.   INCOME TAXES The Company operates in the United States and many foreign countries and is subject to the tax laws of many jurisdictions. Changes in tax laws or the interpretation of tax laws can affect the Company’s earnings, as can the resolution of pending and contested tax issues. The Company's consolidated effective income tax rate is affected by a number of factors, including the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and the effect of exchange rate changes on local taxable income and deferred taxes in foreign countries.For fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 the Company's U.S. federal statutory tax rate is 21.0%. The U.S. tax system is primarily territorial based after the enactment of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017. The U.S. tax law imposes a tax on U.S. shareholders on certain low-taxed income earned by controlled foreign corporations, referred to as global intangible low-taxed income ("GILTI"). The Company has made an accounting policy election to account for any additional tax resulting from the GILTI provisions in the year in which it is incurred and has not recorded any deferred taxes on temporary book-tax differences related to this income.The Company continues to assume repatriation of all undistributed earnings of its consolidated foreign subsidiaries and has therefore provided for expected foreign withholding taxes on the distribution of those earnings where applicable, net of any U.S. tax credit attributable to those withholding taxes. The Company has asserted permanent reinvestment of the book basis of certain foreign subsidiaries, and accordingly, no deferred income tax liability has been recorded for any potential taxable gain that may be realized on a future disposition or liquidation of any of those subsidiaries. It is not practicable for the Company to quantify any deferred income tax liability that would be attributable to those events.60UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Income Tax ExpenseIncome taxes for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 consisted of the following: Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022CurrentUnited States$5,107 $9,967 $15,042 State and local696 1,134 265 Foreign30,711 8,289 25,828 36,514 19,390 41,135 DeferredUnited States(824)(4,727)(498)State and local(138)613 1,568 Foreign(4,443)(3,543)(3,542)(5,405)(7,657)(2,472)Total$31,109 $11,733 $38,663 Foreign taxes include any applicable U.S. tax expense on the earnings of foreign subsidiaries. Consolidated Effective Income Tax RateA reconciliation of the U.S. federal statutory tax rate to the Company’s effective income tax rate is as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022U.S. federal statutory tax rate21.0 %21.0 %21.0 %State income taxes, net of federal benefit0.3 1.0 1.0 Foreign earnings taxed at rates other than the U.S. federal statutory tax rate(5.2)(1.5)3.7 Foreign dividend withholding taxes2.9 2.6 2.3 Brazil tax ruling— (17.1)— Changes in uncertain tax positions(0.2)(0.1)(0.3)Other0.2 2.4 (0.5)Effective income tax rate19.0 %8.3 %27.2 %In fiscal year 2023, one of the Company's subsidiaries in Brazil received a favorable final judgement from the Brazilian Superior Court of Justice. The lawsuit asserted certain tax credits on exported goods should be excluded from taxable income. The Brazilian revenue authority asserted certain tax credits generated on purchased goods and services that were ultimately exported from Brazil should be included in the calculation of taxable income. The Brazilian Superior Court of Justice affirmed the tax credits are non-taxable in accordance with the historical and existing tax legislation in Brazil. The ruling resulted in recognition of $26.6 million of Brazilian tax credits due to the recalculation of federal income taxes in Brazil for years 2015 through 2022. The affirmative ruling also resulted in recognition of $5.0 million of interest income for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023. The tax credits and associated interest income credits are being used to reduce federal non-income tax liabilities through the end of calendar year 2027. The tax credits were recognized as both current and noncurrent assets on the consolidated balance sheet based on when the credits are expected to be realized. Additionally, any unused tax credits will earn tax-exempt interest income through the expiration date, which can be used to reduce both non-income tax and income tax liabilities. The Brazilian federal tax authority has formally acknowledged the tax credits and related interest credits to be used by one of the Company's Brazilian subsidiaries. The ruling resulted in a net income tax benefit of $24.2 million in fiscal year 2023. The net income tax benefit included a $2.4 million income tax provision for U.S. federal income taxes related to the fiscal year 2018 consolidated federal tax return that will need to be amended. The Company sold its idled Tanzania operations and recognized $1.1 million of income taxes in the fiscal year ended March 31, 2023.61UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)In fiscal year 2022, the Company recognized a $1.7 million benefit related to a final tax law ruling at a foreign subsidiary. Components of Income Before Income TaxesThe U.S. and foreign components of income before income taxes were as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022United States$22,517 $27,942 $74,553 Foreign141,563 114,027 67,714 Total$164,080 $141,969 $142,267 Deferred Income Tax Liabilities and AssetsSignificant components of deferred tax liabilities and assets were as follows:  March 31,20242023LiabilitiesForeign withholding taxes$15,350 $17,123 Property, plant and equipment10,604 10,617 Undistributed earnings3,145 3,772 Operating lease right-of-use assets8,119 5,791 Goodwill and other intangible assets32,232 33,781 Interest rate swap3,036 1,885 All other1,168 2,786 Total deferred tax liabilities$73,654 $75,755 AssetsEmployee benefit plans$15,938 $15,654 Reserves and accruals6,973 5,692 Deferred income5,827 5,573 Operating lease right-of-use liabilities7,407 5,500 Currency translation losses of foreign subsidiaries2,156 2,173 Local currency exchange losses of foreign subsidiaries2,075 1,084 Foreign tax credit carryforward8,196 5,578 Capital loss carryforwards4,143 4,197 All other9,997 11,016 Total deferred tax assets62,712 56,467 Valuation allowance(13,016)(10,234)Net deferred tax assets$49,696 $46,233 At March 31, 2024, the Company had no material net operating loss carryforwards in either its domestic or foreign operations.62UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Combined Income Tax Expense (Benefit)The combined income tax expense (benefit) allocable to continuing operations and other comprehensive income was as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Continuing operations$31,109 $11,733 $38,663 Other comprehensive loss(1,056)3,551 6,555 Total$30,053 $15,284 $45,218 Uncertain Tax PositionsA reconciliation of the beginning and ending balance of the gross liability for uncertain tax positions is as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Liability for uncertain tax positions, beginning of year$1,415 $2,024 $2,437 Additions:Related to tax positions for the current year65 1,198 48 Related to tax positions for prior years— — 328 Reductions:Due to lapses of statutes of limitations(56)(75)(56)Due to tax settlements(311)(1,661)(814)Effect of currency rate changes(43)(71)81 Liability for uncertain tax positions, end of year$1,070 $1,415 $2,024 The liability for uncertain tax positions at March 31, 2024 includes approximately $1.1 million that could have an effect on the consolidated effective tax rate if the tax benefits are recognized. The liability for uncertain tax positions includes $0.8 million related to tax positions for which it is reasonably possible that the amounts could change significantly before March 31, 2025. This amount reflects a possible decrease in the liability for uncertain tax positions that could result from the completion and resolution of tax audits and the expiration of open tax years in various tax jurisdictions. The $1.7 million settlement in fiscal year 2023 represents the resolution of a tax matter with a foreign tax authority. The $0.8 million settlement in fiscal year 2022 represents the resolution of a tax matter with a local country taxing authority. The Company accrued $0.5 million of the fiscal year 2022 settlement in prior fiscal years. For fiscal year ended March 31, 2023, the Company recognized $1.8 million as a reduction to interest expense related to an uncertain tax position on the Tanzania operations that were sold in fiscal year 2023. Amounts accrued or reversed for interest were not material for fiscal years 2024 and 2022. Amounts accrued or reversed for penalties were not material for fiscal years 2024 through 2022, and liabilities recorded for penalties at March 31, 2024 and 2023 also were not material.Universal and its subsidiaries file a U.S. federal consolidated income tax return, as well as returns in several U.S. states and a number of foreign jurisdictions. As of March 31, 2024, the Company's earliest open tax year for U.S. federal income tax purposes was its fiscal year ended March 31, 2018. Open tax years in U.S. federal, state and foreign jurisdictions range from 3 to 6 years.63UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)NOTE 7.   GOODWILL AND OTHER INTANGIBLESThe Company's changes in goodwill at March 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,20242023Balance at beginning of year$213,922 $213,998 Foreign currency translation adjustment(53)(76)Balance at end of year$213,869 $213,922 The Company's intangible assets primarily consist of capitalized customer-related intangibles, trade names, proprietary developed technology and noncompetition agreements. The Company's intangible assets subject to amortization consisted of the following at March 31, 2024 and 2023:March 31, 2024(in thousands, except useful life)Useful Life (Years)Gross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet   Carrying ValueCustomer relationships11-13$86,500 $(25,424)$61,076 Trade names511,100 (8,265)2,835 Developed technology139,300 (5,665)3,635 Noncompetition agreements4-54,000 (2,725)1,275 Other5782 (720)62 Total intangible assets$111,682 $(42,799)$68,883 March 31, 2023Useful Life (Years)Gross Carrying ValueAccumulated AmortizationNet   Carrying ValueCustomer relationships11-13$86,500 $(17,693)$68,807 Trade names511,100 (6,045)5,055 Developed technology139,300 (5,319)3,981 Noncompetition agreements4-54,000 (1,775)2,225 Other5721 (688)33 Total intangible assets$111,621 $(31,520)$80,101 Intangible assets are amortized on a straight-line basis over the asset's estimated useful economic life as noted above.The Company's amortization expense for intangible assets for the years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022: Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Amortization Expense$11,279 $12,455 $11,209 Amortization expense for the developed technology intangible asset is recorded in cost of goods sold in the consolidated income statements of income. The amortization expense for the other intangible assets is recorded in selling, general, and administrative expenses in the consolidated income statements of income. 64UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)As of March 31, 2024, the expected future amortization expense for intangible assets is as follows:Fiscal Year2025$11,073 20269,253 20278,077 20288,077 2029 and thereafter32,403 Total expected future amortization expense$68,883 NOTE 8.   CREDIT FACILITIESBank Credit AgreementOn December 15, 2022, the Company entered into a senior unsecured bank credit agreement that included a $530 million five-year revolving credit facility (expiring December 15, 2027), a $275 million five-year term loan (due December 15, 2027), and a $345 million seven-year term loan (due December 15, 2029). Borrowings under the revolving credit facility bear interest at a variable rate benchmarked to the Secured Overnight Financing Rate ("SOFR"), plus a margin that is based on the Company's credit measures. In addition to interest, the Company pays a facility fee on the revolving credit facility. $125 million was outstanding under the revolving credit facility at March 31, 2024. The credit agreement provides for an expansion of the facility under certain conditions to allow additional borrowings of up to $200 million. Additional information related to the term loans is provided in Note 9. The credit agreement includes financial covenants that require the Company to maintain a minimum level of tangible net worth and observe limits on debt levels. The Company was in compliance with those covenants at March 31, 2024.Short-Term Credit FacilitiesThe Company maintains short-term uncommitted lines of credit in the United States and in a number of foreign countries. Foreign borrowings are generally in the form of overdraft facilities at rates competitive in the countries in which the Company operates. Generally, each foreign line is available only for borrowings related to operations of a specific country. As of March 31, 2024 and 2023, approximately $292 million and $166 million, respectively, were outstanding under these uncommitted lines of credit. The weighted-average interest rates on short-term borrowings outstanding as of March 31, 2024 and 2023 were approximately 6.7% and 6.2%, respectively. At March 31, 2024, the Company and its consolidated affiliates had unused uncommitted lines of credit totaling approximately $135 million. NOTE 9.   LONG-TERM DEBTThe Company's long-term debt at March 31, 2024 and 2023 consisted of the following:March 31,20242023Senior bank term loans$620,000 $620,000 Less: current portion— — Less: unamortized debt issuance costs(2,636)(3,191)Long-term debt$617,364 $616,809 As discussed in Note 8, on December 15, 2022, the Company entered into a bank credit agreement that included a $275 million five-year term loan and a $345 million seven-year term loan. Both term loans were fully funded at closing, require no amortization, and are repayable without penalty prior to maturity. Under the credit agreement, both term loans bear interest at a variable rate benchmarked to the SOFR plus a margin that is based on the Company's credit measures. As discussed in Note 11, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements in place with respect to the prior term loans through December 20, 2023 for the five-year term loan and through December 20, 2025 for the seven-year term loan. These agreements were terminated concurrently with the repayment of the prior term loans and replaced with new interest rate swap agreements that will continue to convert a portion of the variable benchmark rate to a fixed rate on each term loan through their respective maturity dates. The proceeds for the fair value of the terminated interest rate swap agreements, approximately $11.8 million, were recognized in accumulated other comprehensive income and are being amortized into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through their original maturity dates. With the swap agreements in place, the effective interest rates on the swapped portions of the five-year and seven-year term loans were 5.50% and 5.65% at March 31, 2024, respectively. 65UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)The weighted average effective interest rates, when taking into consideration both the swapped and unswapped interest payments for all outstanding long-term debt, were 6.46% and 6.66% at March 31, 2024 for the five-year and seven-year term loans, respectively. Changes in the effective interest rates could result from a change in interest rates on the unhedged interest payments or a change in the Company's credit measures that impact the applicable credit spreads specified in the underlying loan agreement. Disclosures about the fair value of long-term debt are provided in Note 12.Shelf RegistrationIn November 2023, the Company filed an undenominated automatic universal shelf registration statement with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission to provide for the future issuance of an undefined amount of additional debt or equity securities as determined by the Company and offered in one or more prospectus supplements prior to issuance.NOTE 10.  LEASESThe Company, as a lessee, enters into operating leases for land, buildings, equipment, and vehicles. For all operating leases with terms greater than 12 months and with fixed payment arrangements, a lease liability and corresponding right-of-use asset are recognized in the balance sheet for the term of the lease by calculating the net present value of future lease payments. On the date of lease commencement, the present value of lease liabilities is determined by discounting the future lease payments by the Company’s collateralized incremental borrowing rate, adjusted for the lease term and currency of the lease payments. If a lease contains a renewal option that the Company is reasonably certain to exercise, the Company accounts for the original lease term and expected renewal term in the calculation of the lease liability and right-of-use asset. The following table sets forth the right-of-use assets and lease liabilities for operating leases included in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet:March 31, 2024March 31, 2023Assets   Operating lease right-of-use assets$32,510 $40,505 Liabilities    Current portion of operating lease liabilities$10,356 $11,404     Long-term operating lease liabilities19,302 25,540           Total operating lease liabilities$29,658 $36,944 The following table sets forth the location and amount of operating lease costs included in the Company's consolidated statement of income:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Income Statement Location   Cost of goods sold$11,806 $11,036 $10,874    Selling, general, and administrative expenses10,691 10,890 9,676           Total operating lease costs(1)$22,497 $21,926 $20,550 (1)Includes variable operating lease costs. 66UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)The following table reconciles the undiscounted cash flows to the operating lease liabilities in the Company’s consolidated balance sheet:March 31, 2024Fiscal Year Maturity of Operating Lease Liabilities2025$11,661 20267,632 20275,085 20283,405 20292,498 2030 and thereafter4,290           Total undiscounted cash flows for operating leases$34,571           Less: Imputed interest(4,913)Total operating lease liabilities$29,658 As of March 31, 2024, the Company had entered into no additional operating leases that have not yet commenced.The following table sets forth supplemental information related to operating leases:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in thousands, except lease term and incremental borrowing rate)202420232022Supplemental Cash Flow InformationCash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$13,898 $13,818 $12,018 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for new operating leases8,507 13,536 22,506 Weighted Average Remaining Lease Term (years)4.594.865.51Weighted Average Collateralized Incremental Borrowing Rate6.10 %5.93 %5.43 %NOTE 11.   DERIVATIVES AND HEDGING ACTIVITIESUniversal is exposed to various risks in its worldwide operations and uses derivative financial instruments to manage two specific types of risks – interest rate risk and foreign currency exchange rate risk. Interest rate risk has been managed by entering into interest rate swap agreements, and foreign currency exchange rate risk has been managed by entering into forward foreign currency exchange and option contracts. However, the Company’s policy also permits other types of derivative instruments. In addition, foreign currency exchange rate risk is also managed through strategies that do not involve derivative instruments, such as using local borrowings and other approaches to minimize net monetary positions in non-functional currencies. The disclosures below provide additional information about the Company’s hedging strategies, the derivative instruments used, and the effects of these activities on the consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income and the consolidated balance sheets. In the consolidated statements of cash flows, the cash flows associated with all of these activities are reported in net cash provided by operating activities. Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Interest Rate RiskIn December 2022, the Company entered into receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualify as hedges of the exposure to changes in interest payment cash flows created by fluctuations in variable interest rates on two outstanding non-amortizing bank term loans that were funded as part of a new bank credit facility in December 2022 (see Note 9 for additional information). Although no significant ineffectiveness is expected with this hedging strategy, the effectiveness of the interest rate swaps is evaluated on a quarterly basis. At March 31, 2024, the total notional amount of the interest rate swaps was $310 million, which corresponded to a portion of the aggregate balance of the term loans. Previously, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges for two non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid concurrent with closing on the new bank credit facility in December 2022. Those swap agreements, which had an aggregate notional amount of $370 million corresponding to a portion of the principal balance on the repaid loans, were terminated concurrent with the inception of the new swap agreements. The fair value of the previous swap agreements, approximately $11.8 million, was received from the counterparties upon termination and 67UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)is being amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through the original maturity dates of those agreements. In February 2019, the Company had receive-floating/pay-fixed interest rate swap agreements that were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges for the two non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid in December 2018 and carried over to hedge the variable interest payments for the two non-amortizing bank loans that were repaid in December 2022. Those swap agreements were terminated in February 2019. The fair value of the two swap agreements terminated in February 2019, approximately $5.4 million, was received in February 2019 from the counterparties upon termination and was amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings as a reduction of interest expense through the original maturity dates of those agreements. As of March 31, 2024, the entire deferred gain has been amortized.Cash Flow Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Forecast Purchases of Tobacco, Tobacco Processing Costs, and Crop Input SalesThe majority of the tobacco production in most countries outside the United States where Universal operates is sold in export markets at prices denominated in U.S. dollars. However, sales of crop inputs (such as seeds and fertilizers) to farmers, purchases of tobacco from farmers and most processing costs (such as labor and energy) in those countries are usually denominated in the local currency. Changes in exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and the local currencies where tobacco is grown and processed affect the ultimate U.S. dollar sales of crop inputs and cost of processed tobacco. From time to time, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to buy U.S. dollars and sell the local currency at future dates that coincide with the sale of crop inputs to farmers. In the case of forecast purchases of tobacco and the related processing costs, the Company enters into forward and option contracts to sell U.S. dollars and buy the local currency at future dates that coincide with the expected timing of a portion of the tobacco purchases and processing costs. These strategies offset the variability of future U.S. dollar cash flows for sales of crop inputs, tobacco purchases, and processing costs for the foreign currency notional amount hedged. These hedging strategies have been used mainly for tobacco purchases, processing costs, and sales of crop inputs in Brazil, although the Company has also entered into hedges for a portion of the tobacco purchases in Africa. The aggregate U.S. dollar notional amount of forward and option contracts entered for these purposes during fiscal years 2024, 2023, and 2022 was as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in millions)202420232022Tobacco purchases$30.3 $47.1 $134.7 Processing costs4.9 9.7 32.5 Crop input sales30.1 35.2 65.3 Total$65.3 $92.0 $232.5 Fluctuations in exchange rates and in the amount and timing of fixed-price orders from customers for their purchases from individual crop years routinely cause variations in the U.S. dollar notional amount of forward contracts entered into from one year to the next. Contracts related to tobacco purchases and crop input sales were designated and qualified as hedges of the future cash flows associated with the forecast purchases of tobacco. As a result, changes in fair values of the forward contracts have been recognized in comprehensive income as they occurred, but only recognized in earnings as a component of cost of goods sold upon sale of the related tobacco to third-party customers. The Company de-designates ineffective tobacco purchases and crop input sales hedges to selling, general, and administrative expense when the forecasted tobacco purchases or crop input sales are no longer expected to occur.The table below presents the expected timing of when the remaining accumulated other comprehensive gains and losses as of March 31, 2024 for cash flows hedges of tobacco purchases and crop input sales will be recognized in earnings.Hedging ProgramCrop YearGeographic Location(s)Fiscal Year EarningsTobacco purchases2023Brazil2025Crop input sales2025Brazil2026Crop input sales2024Brazil2025Forward contracts related to processing costs have not been designated as hedges, and gains and losses on those contracts have been recognized in earnings on a mark-to-market basis.68UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Hedging Strategy for Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk Related to Net Local Currency Monetary Assets and Liabilities of Foreign SubsidiariesMost of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales in U.S. dollars and finance the majority of their operating requirements with U.S. dollar borrowings, and therefore use the U.S. dollar as their functional currency. These subsidiaries normally have certain monetary assets and liabilities on their balance sheets that are denominated in the local currency. Those assets and liabilities can include cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable and accounts payable, advances to farmers and suppliers, deferred income tax assets and liabilities, recoverable VAT, operating lease liabilities, and other items. Net monetary assets and liabilities denominated in the local currency are remeasured into U.S. dollars each reporting period, generating gains and losses that the Company records in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses. The level of net monetary assets or liabilities denominated in the local currency normally fluctuates throughout the year based on the operating cycle, but it is most common for monetary assets to exceed monetary liabilities, sometimes by a significant amount. When this situation exists and the local currency weakens against the U.S. dollar, remeasurement losses are generated. Conversely, remeasurement gains are generated on a net monetary asset position when the local currency strengthens against the U.S. dollar. To manage a portion of its exposure to currency remeasurement gains and losses, the Company enters into forward contracts to buy or sell the local currency at future dates coinciding with expected changes in the overall net local currency monetary asset position of the subsidiary. Gains and losses on the forward contracts are recorded in earnings as a component of selling, general, and administrative expenses for each reporting period as they occur, and thus directly offset the related remeasurement losses or gains in the consolidated statements of income for the notional amount hedged. The Company does not designate these contracts as hedges for accounting purposes. The contracts are generally arranged to hedge the subsidiary's projected exposure to currency remeasurement risk for specified periods of time, and new contracts are entered as necessary throughout the year to replace previous contracts as they mature. The Company is currently using forward currency contracts to manage its exposure to currency remeasurement risk in Brazil. The total notional amounts of contracts outstanding at March 31, 2024 and 2023, were approximately $20.9 million and $42.8 million, respectively. To further mitigate currency remeasurement exposure, the Company’s foreign subsidiaries may utilize short-term local currency financing during certain periods. This strategy, while not involving the use of derivative instruments, is intended to minimize the subsidiary’s net monetary position by financing a portion of the local currency monetary assets with local currency monetary liabilities, thus hedging a portion of the overall position. Several of the Company’s foreign subsidiaries transact the majority of their sales and finance the majority of their operating requirements in their local currency, and therefore use their respective local currencies as the functional currency for reporting purposes. From time to time, these subsidiaries sell tobacco to customers in transactions that are not denominated in the functional currency. In those situations, the subsidiaries routinely enter into forward exchange contracts to offset currency risk for the period of time that a fixed-price order and the related trade account receivable are outstanding with the customer. The contracts are not designated as hedges for accounting purposes.69UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Statements of IncomeThe table below outlines the effects of the Company’s use of derivative financial instruments on the consolidated statements of income for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022.Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Cash Flow Hedges - Interest Rate Swap AgreementsDerivativeEffective Portion of HedgeGain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss$15,375 $9,804 $15,651 Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings$5,592 $(66)$(8,907)Gain on terminated interest rate swaps amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings$5,397 $1,570 $1,061 Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earningsInterest expenseIneffective Portion of HedgeGain (loss) recognized in earnings$— $— $— Location of gain (loss) recognized in earningsSelling, general and administrative expensesHedged ItemDescription of hedged itemFloating rate interest payments on term loansCash Flow Hedges - Forward Foreign Currency Exchange ContractsDerivativeEffective Portion of HedgeGain (loss) recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss$2,088 $5,274 $13,879 Gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earnings$7,996 $4,469 $5,426 Location of gain (loss) reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive loss into earningsCost of goods soldIneffective Portion and Early De-designation of HedgesGain (loss) recognized in earnings$1,138 $(520)$2,040 Location of gain (loss) recognized in earningsSelling, general and administrative expensesHedged ItemDescription of hedged item Forecast purchases of tobacco and sales of crop inputs in Brazil and AfricaDerivatives Not Designated as Hedges -Forward Foreign Currency Exchange ContractsGain (loss) recognized in earnings$(3,484)$(4,811)$16,732 Location of gain (loss) recognized in earningsSelling, general and administrative expensesFor the outstanding interest rate swap agreements, the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and any ineffective portion is recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.For the forward foreign currency exchange contracts designated as cash flow hedges of tobacco purchases in Brazil and Africa, as well as the crop input sales in Brazil, a net hedge loss of approximately $0.1 million remained in accumulated other comprehensive loss at March 31, 2024. That balance reflects gains and losses on contracts related to the 2023 Brazil crops and the 2025 and 2024 Brazil crop input sales, less the amounts reclassified to earnings related to tobacco sold through March 31, 2024. Based on the hedging strategy, as the gain or loss is recognized in earnings, it is expected to be offset by a change in the direct cost for the tobacco or by a change in sales prices if the strategy has been mandated by the customer. Generally, margins on the sale of the tobacco will not be significantly affected.70UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Effect of Derivative Financial Instruments on the Consolidated Balance SheetsThe table below outlines the effects of the Company’s derivative financial instruments on the consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2024 and 2023:Derivatives in a Fair ValueAsset PositionDerivatives in a Fair ValueLiability PositionBalance Sheet LocationFair Value as of March 31,Balance Sheet LocationFair Value as of March 31,2024202320242023Derivatives Designated as Hedging InstrumentsInterest rate swap agreementsOthernon-currentassets$6,706 $— Otherlong-termliabilities$— $3,077 Forward foreign currency exchange contractsOthercurrentassets77 7,102 Accountspayable andaccruedexpenses9 890 Total$6,783 $7,102 $9 $3,967 Derivatives Not Designated as Hedging InstrumentsForward foreign currency exchange contractsOthercurrentassets$245 $1,320 Accountspayable andaccruedexpenses$12 $435 Total$245 $1,320 $12 $435 Substantially all of the Company's forward foreign currency exchange contracts are subject to master netting arrangements, whereby the right to offset occurs in the event of default by a participating party. The Company has elected to present these contracts on a gross basis in the consolidated balance sheets.NOTE 12.   FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTSUniversal measures certain financial and nonfinancial assets and liabilities at fair value based on applicable accounting guidance. The financial assets and liabilities measured at fair value include money market funds, trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans, interest rate swap agreements, forward foreign currency exchange contracts, and guarantees of bank loans to tobacco growers. The application of the fair value guidance to nonfinancial assets and liabilities primarily includes the determination of fair values for goodwill and long-lived assets when indicators of potential impairment are present. Under the accounting guidance, fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. The framework for measuring fair value is based on a fair value hierarchy that distinguishes between observable inputs and unobservable inputs. Observable inputs are based on market data obtained from independent sources. Unobservable inputs require the Company to make its own assumptions about the value placed on an asset or liability by market participants because little or no market data exists. There are three levels within the fair value hierarchy. LevelDescription1quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities that the Company has the ability to access as of the reporting date;2quoted prices in active markets for similar assets or liabilities, or quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in markets that are not active, or inputs other than quoted prices that are observable for the asset or liability; and3unobservable inputs for the asset or liability.71UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)As permitted under the accounting guidance, the Company uses net asset value per share ("NAV") as a practical expedient to measure the fair value of its money market funds. The fair values for those funds are presented under the heading "NAV" in the tables that follow in this disclosure. In measuring the fair value of liabilities, the Company considers the risk of non-performance in determining fair value. Universal has not elected to report at fair value any financial instruments or any other assets or liabilities that are not required to be reported at fair value under current accounting guidance.Recurring Fair Value MeasurementsAt March 31, 2024 and 2023, the Company had certain financial assets and financial liabilities that were required to be measured and reported at fair value on a recurring basis. These assets and liabilities are listed in the tables below and are classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy or the NAV practical expedient:March 31, 2024Fair Value HierarchyNAVLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalAssetsMoney market funds$145 $— $— $— $145 Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans— 12,409 — — 12,409 Interest rate swap agreements— — 6,706 — 6,706 Forward foreign currency exchange contracts— — 322 — 322 Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value$145 $12,409 $7,028 $— $19,582 LiabilitiesForward foreign currency exchange contracts$— $— $21 $— $21 Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value$— $— $21 $— $21 March 31, 2023Fair Value HierarchyNAVLevel 1Level 2Level 3TotalAssetsMoney market funds$400 $— $— $— $400 Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plans— 11,698 — — 11,698 Forward foreign currency exchange contracts— — 8,422 — 8,422  Total financial assets measured and reported at fair value$400 $11,698 $8,422 $— $20,520 LiabilitiesInterest rate swap agreements$— $— $3,077 $— $3,077 Forward foreign currency exchange contracts— — 1,325 — 1,325  Total financial liabilities measured and reported at fair value$— $— $4,402 $— $4,402 Money market fundsThe fair value of money market funds, which are reported in cash and cash equivalents in the consolidated balance sheets, is based on NAV, which is the amount at which the funds are redeemable and is used as a practical expedient for fair value. These funds are not classified in the fair value hierarchy, but are disclosed as part of the fair value table above.72UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Trading securities associated with deferred compensation plansTrading securities represent mutual fund investments that are matched to employee deferred compensation obligations. These investments are bought and sold as employees defer compensation, receive distributions, or make changes in the funds underlying their accounts. Quoted market prices (Level 1) are used to determine the fair values of the mutual funds.Interest rate swap agreementsThe fair values of interest rate swap agreements are determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, interest rate swaps are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.Forward foreign currency exchange contractsThe fair values of forward foreign currency exchange contracts are also determined based on dealer quotes using a discounted cash flow model matched to the contractual terms of each instrument. Since inputs to the model are observable and significant judgment is not required in determining the fair values, forward foreign currency exchange contracts are classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.Long-term DebtThe following table summarizes the fair and carrying value of the Company’s long-term debt, including the current portion at each of the balance sheet dates March 31, 2024 and 2023:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,(in millions of dollars)20242023Fair market value of long term obligations$618 $621 Carrying value of long term obligations$620 $620 The Company estimates the fair value of its long-term debt using Level 2 inputs which are based upon quoted market prices for the same or similar obligations or on calculations that are based on the current interest rates available to the Company for debt of similar terms and maturities. See Note 9 for more information regarding long-term debt. Nonrecurring Fair Value MeasurementsAssets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis primarily relate to long-lived assets, right-of-use operating lease assets and liabilities, goodwill and intangibles, and other current and noncurrent assets. These assets and liabilities fair values are evaluated for impairment when potential indicators of impairment exist. Accordingly, the nonrecurring measurement of the fair value of these assets and liabilities are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy.Acquisition Accounting for Business CombinationsThe Company accounts for acquisitions qualifying under ASC 805, "Business Combinations," which requires, among other things, that the assets acquired and liabilities assumed be recognized at their fair values as of the acquisition date. The fair values of consideration transferred and net assets acquired are determined using a combination of Level 2 and Level 3 inputs as specified in the fair value hierarchy in ASC 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures.” The Company believes that the fair values assigned to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on reasonable assumptions. The significant assumptions used in determining the fair value include the discount rate and forecasted results (e.g., revenue growth rates and operating profit margins).Long-Lived AssetsThe Company reviews long-lived assets for impairment whenever events, changes in business conditions, or other circumstances provide an indication that such assets may be impaired. NOTE 13.   PENSION AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFIT PLANS Defined Benefit PlansDescription of Plans  The Company sponsors several defined benefit pension plans covering salaried and certain hourly employees in the U.S., as well as certain foreign and other employee groups. These plans provide retirement benefits based primarily on employee compensation and years of service. Plan assets consist primarily of equity and fixed income investments. The Company also sponsors defined benefit plans that provide postretirement health and life insurance benefits for eligible U.S. employees and 73UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)retirees who have attained specific age and service levels, although postretirement life insurance benefits were discontinued in fiscal year 2015 for all employees who were not already retired. The health benefits are funded by the Company as the costs of those benefits are incurred. The plan design includes cost-sharing features such as deductibles and coinsurance. The life insurance benefits are funded with deposits to a reserve account held by an insurance company. The Company has the right to amend or discontinue its pension and other postretirement benefit plans at any time.In the following disclosures, the term “accumulated benefit obligation” (“ABO”) represents the actuarial present value of estimated future benefit payments earned by participants in the Company's defined benefit pension plans as of the balance sheet date without regard to the estimated effect of future compensation increases on those benefits. The term does not apply to other postretirement benefits. “Projected benefit obligation” refers to the projected benefit obligation (“PBO”) for pension benefits and the accumulated postretirement benefit obligation (“APBO”) for other postretirement benefits. These amounts represent the actuarial present value of estimated future benefit payments earned by participants in the benefit plans as of the balance sheet date. For pension benefits, the PBO includes the estimated effect of future compensation increases on those benefits.Actuarial AssumptionsAssumptions used for financial reporting purposes to compute net periodic benefit cost and benefit obligations for the Company's primary defined benefit plans were as follows:Pension BenefitsOther Postretirement Benefits202420232022202420232022Discount rates:Benefit cost for plan year5.00 %3.70 %3.30 %4.90 %3.60 %2.90 %Benefit obligation at end of plan year5.27 %5.00 %3.70 %5.17 %4.90 %3.60 %Expected long-term return on plan assets:Benefit cost for plan year6.50 %5.50 %5.50 %3.00 %3.00 %3.00 %Salary scale:Benefit cost for plan year4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %Benefit obligation at end of plan year4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %4.00 %Healthcare cost trend rateN/AN/AN/A6.97 %6.97 %6.17 %Changes in the discount rates in the above table reflect prevailing market interest rates at the end of each fiscal year when the benefit obligations are actuarially measured. The expected long-term return on plan assets is developed from financial models used to project future returns on the underlying assets of the funded plans and is reviewed on an annual basis. The healthcare cost trend rate used by the Company is based on a study of medical cost inflation rates that is reviewed and updated annually for continued applicability. The trend assumption of 6.97% in 2024 declines gradually to 4.44% in 2032. The Company has caps in place on postretirement medical benefits that limit its cost for a large segment of the retiree population. As a result, changes to the healthcare cost trend rate have a limited impact on the postretirement medical plan liability and expense. 74UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Benefit Obligations, Plan Assets, and Funded StatusThe following table reflects the changes in benefit obligations and plan assets in fiscal years 2024 and 2023, as well as the funded status of the plans at March 31, 2024 and 2023:PensionBenefitsOther Postretirement BenefitsMarch 31,March 31,2024202320242023Actuarial present value of benefit obligation:Accumulated benefit obligation$231,685 $235,540 Projected benefit obligation237,626 241,399 $20,077 $20,716 Change in projected benefit obligation:Projected benefit obligation, beginning of year$241,399 $277,050 $20,716 $24,957 Service cost5,214 6,172 239 115 Interest cost11,566 9,670 1,049 944 Effect of discount rate change(5,147)(31,621)(255)(1,906)Foreign currency exchange rate changes(298)(543)30 (145)Other2,197 (2,120)589 (659)Benefit payments(17,305)(17,209)(2,291)(2,590)Projected benefit obligation, end of year$237,626 $241,399 $20,077 $20,716 Change in plan assets:Plan assets at fair value, beginning of year$221,953 $256,013 $2,257 $2,706 Actual return on plan assets11,666 (20,613)174 73 Employer contributions4,257 4,038 1,794 2,068 Foreign currency exchange rate changes(235)(276)— — Benefit payments(17,305)(17,209)(2,291)(2,590)Plan assets at fair value, end of year$220,336 $221,953 $1,934 $2,257 Funded status:Funded status of the plans, end of year$(17,290)$(19,446)$(18,143)$(18,459)The Company funds its non-regulated U.S. pension plan, one of its foreign pension plans, and its postretirement medical plans on a pay-as-you-go basis as the benefit payments are incurred. The unfunded PBO for those pension plans and postretirement benefit plans was $27.9 million and $16.6 million, respectively, at March 31, 2024. The funded status of the Company’s plans at the end of fiscal years 2024 and 2023 was reported in the consolidated balance sheets as follows:PensionBenefitsOther Postretirement BenefitsMarch 31,March 31,2024202320242023Noncurrent assets (included in Pension asset)$11,857 $9,984 $— $— Current liability (included in Accrued expenses and other current liabilities)(2,344)(3,352)(1,695)(1,768)Noncurrent liability (reported as Pensions and other postretirement benefits)(26,803)(26,078)(16,448)(16,691)Amounts recognized in the consolidated balance sheets$(17,290)$(19,446)$(18,143)$(18,459)75UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Additional information on the funded status of the Company’s plans as of the respective measurement dates for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024 and 2023, is as follows:PensionBenefitsOther Postretirement BenefitsMarch 31,March 31,2024202320242023For plans with a projected benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:Aggregate projected benefit obligation (PBO)$36,842 $29,430 $20,078 $20,716 Aggregate fair value of plan assets— — 1,934 2,257 For plans with an accumulated benefit obligation in excess of plan assets:Aggregate accumulated benefit obligation (ABO)35,640 28,487 N/AN/AAggregate fair value of plan assets— — N/AN/ANet Periodic Benefit CostThe components of the Company’s net periodic benefit cost were as follows:Pension BenefitsOther Postretirement BenefitsFiscal Year Ended March 31,Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022202420232022Components of net periodic benefit cost:Service cost$5,214 $6,172 $6,674 $239 $115 $170 Interest cost11,566 9,670 8,754 1,049 944 950 Expected return on plan assets(15,504)(13,630)(13,562)(63)(76)(86)Net amortization and deferral659 2,038 1,679 (791)(737)(422)Net periodic benefit cost$1,935 $4,250 $3,545 $434 $246 $612 A one-percentage-point increase or decrease in the assumed healthcare cost trend rate would not result in a significant change to the March 31, 2024 APBO or the aggregate service and interest cost components of the net periodic postretirement benefit expense for fiscal year 2025. 76UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Amounts Included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive LossAmounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the beginning of the year are amortized as a component of net periodic benefit cost during the year. The amounts recognized in other comprehensive income or loss for fiscal years 2024 and 2023 and the amounts included in accumulated other comprehensive loss at the end of those fiscal years are shown below. All amounts shown are before allocated income taxes.PensionBenefitsOther Postretirement BenefitsMarch 31,March 31,2024202320242023Change in net actuarial loss (gain):Net actuarial loss (gain), beginning of year$64,114 $67,280 $(8,332)$(6,681)Losses (gains) arising during the year107 (98)377 (2,223)Amortization included in net periodic benefit cost during the year(793)(3,068)786 572 Net actuarial loss (gain), end of year63,428 64,114 (7,169)(8,332)Change in prior service cost (benefit):Prior service cost (benefit), beginning of year(457)(1,487)(36)(201)   Prior service cost (benefit) arising during the year692 — — — Amortization included in net periodic benefit cost during the year134 1,030 5 165 Prior service cost (benefit), end of year369 (457)(31)(36)Total amounts in accumulated other comprehensive loss at end of year, before income taxes$63,797 $63,657 $(7,200)$(8,368)Amounts in the above table reflect the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries. The accumulated other comprehensive loss reported in the consolidated balance sheets also includes pension and other postretirement benefit amounts related to ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates. The Company expects to recognize approximately $0.2 million of the March 31, 2024 net actuarial loss and $0.1 million of the March 31, 2024 prior service benefit in net periodic benefit cost during fiscal year 2025.Allocation of Pension Plan AssetsThe Company has established, and periodically adjusts, target asset allocations for its investments in its U.S. ERISA-regulated defined benefit pension plan, which represents 97% of consolidated plan assets and 84% of consolidated PBO at March 31, 2024, to balance the needs of liquidity, total return, and risk control. The assets are required to be diversified across asset classes and investment styles to achieve that balance. During the year, the asset allocation is reviewed for adherence to the target policy and rebalanced to the targeted weights. The Company reviews the expected long-term returns of the asset allocation each year to help determine whether changes are needed. The return is evaluated on a weighted-average basis in relation to inflation. The assumed long-term rate of return used to calculate annual benefit expense is based on the asset allocation and expected market returns for the respective asset classes.The weighted–average target pension asset allocation and target ranges at the March 31, 2024 measurement date and the actual asset allocations at the March 31, 2024 and 2023 measurement dates by major asset category were as follows:Actual AllocationTarget AllocationMarch 31,Major Asset CategoryRange20242023Equity securities29.0 %19 %-39%26.7 %27.5 %Fixed income securities (1) 66.0 %56 %-76%67.3 %66.0 %Alternative investments5.0 %0 %-10%6.0 %6.5 %Total100.0 %100.0 %100.0 %(1)Actual amounts include high yield securities and cash balances held for the payment of benefits.    77UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Universal makes regular contributions to its pension and other postretirement benefit plans. As previously noted, for postretirement health benefits, contributions reflect funding of those benefits as they are incurred. The Company expects to make  no contributions to its ERISA regulated defined benefit pension plan and $4.1 million to its non-ERISA regulated pension plans in fiscal year 2025.Estimated future benefit payments to be made from the Company’s plans are as follows:PensionBenefitsOtherPostretirementBenefitsFiscal Year2025$17,126 $2,100 202618,141 1,929 202723,644 1,856 202819,017 1,774 202917,345 1,681 2030 - 203385,512 7,729 Fair Values of Pension Plan AssetsAssets held by the Company's defined benefit pension plans primarily consist of equity securities, fixed income securities, and alternative investments. Equity securities are primarily invested in actively-traded mutual funds with underlying common stock investments in U.S. and foreign companies ranging in size from small to large corporations. Fixed income securities are also held primarily through actively-traded mutual funds with the underlying investments in both U.S. and foreign securities. The methodologies for determining the fair values of the plan assets are outlined below. Where the values are based on quoted prices for the securities in an active market, they are classified as Level 1 of the fair value hierarchy. Where secondary pricing sources are used, they are classified as Level 2 of the hierarchy. Pricing models that use significant unobservable inputs are classified as Level 3.•Equity securities:  Investments in equity securities through actively-traded mutual funds are valued based on the NAVs of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as Level 1.•Fixed income securities:  Fixed income investments that are held through mutual funds are valued based on the NAVs of the units held in the respective funds, which are determined by obtaining quoted prices on nationally recognized securities exchanges. These securities are classified as Level 1. Other fixed income investments are valued at an estimated price that a dealer would pay for a similar security on the valuation date using observable market inputs and are classified as Level 2. These market inputs may include yield curves for similarly rated securities. Small amounts of cash are held in common collective trusts. Fixed income securities also include insurance assets, which are valued based on an actuarial calculation. Those securities are classified as Level 3.•Alternative investments:  Real estate assets are valued using valuation models that incorporate income and market approaches, including external appraisals, to derive fair values. The hedge fund allocation is a fund of hedge funds and is valued by the manager based on the NAV of each fund. These models use significant unobservable inputs and are classified as Level 3 within the fair value hierarchy.Fair values of the assets of the Company’s pension plans as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, classified based on how their values were determined under the fair value hierarchy are as follows:March 31, 2024Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalEquity securities$56,243 $— $— $56,243 Fixed income securities (1) 143,740 — 7,695 151,435 Alternative investments— — 12,658 12,658 Total investments$199,983 $— $20,353 $220,336 78UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)March 31, 2023Level 1Level 2Level 3TotalEquity securities$58,745 $— $— $58,745 Fixed income securities (1) 142,335 — 6,917 149,252 Alternative investments— — 13,956 13,956 Total investments$201,080 $— $20,873 $221,953 (1)Includes high yield securities and cash and cash equivalent balances.Other Benefit PlansUniversal and several subsidiaries offer employer defined contribution savings plans. Amounts charged to expense for these plans were approximately $4.3 million for fiscal year 2024, $3.4 million for fiscal year 2023, and $3.0 million for fiscal year 2022.NOTE 14.   COMMON AND PREFERRED STOCK Common StockAt March 31, 2024, the Company’s shareholders had authorized 100,000,000 shares of its common stock, and 24,573,408 shares were issued and outstanding. Holders of the common stock are entitled to one vote for each share held on all matters requiring a vote. Holders of the common stock are also entitled to receive dividends when, as, and if declared by the Company’s Board of Directors. The Board of Directors customarily declares and pays regular quarterly dividends on the outstanding common shares; however, such dividends are at the Board’s full discretion, and there is no obligation to continue them. Preferred StockThe Company is also authorized to issue up to 5,000,000 shares of preferred stock. No preferred stock was outstanding at March 31, 2024. Share Repurchase ProgramsUniversal’s Board of Directors has authorized programs to repurchase outstanding shares of the Company’s capital stock (common and preferred stock). Under these programs, the Company has made and may continue to make share repurchases from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions at prices not exceeding prevailing market rates. Programs have been in place continuously throughout fiscal years 2022 through 2024. The current program, which replaced an expiring program, was authorized and became effective on November 3, 2022. It authorizes the purchase of up to $100 million of the Company's outstanding common stock and expires on the earlier of November 15, 2024, or when the funds authorized for the program have been exhausted. At March 31, 2024, $95 million of the authorization remained available for share repurchases under the current program.Repurchases of common stock under the programs for fiscal years 2024, 2023, and  2022 were as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Number of shares repurchased100,000 66,124 58,264 Cost of shares repurchased (in thousands of dollars)$4,744 $3,448 $3,053 Weighted-average cost per share$47.44 $52.12 $52.41 NOTE 15.   EXECUTIVE STOCK PLANS AND STOCK-BASED COMPENSATION Executive Stock PlansThe Company’s shareholders have approved executive stock plans under which officers, directors, and employees of the Company may receive grants and awards of common stock, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), performance share units (“PSUs”), stock appreciation rights (“SARs”), incentive stock options, and non-qualified stock options. Currently, grants are outstanding under the 1997 Executive Stock Plan, the 2002 Executive Stock Plan, the 2007 Stock Incentive Plan, the 2017 Stock Incentive Plan, and the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan. Together, these plans are referred to in this disclosure as the “Plans.” Up to 1,250,000 shares may be issued under the 2023 Stock Incentive Plan, with no specific share limit for any of the award types. New awards may no longer be issued under the 1997, 2002, 2007, and 2017 Plans.79UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)The Company’s practice is to award grants of stock-based compensation to officers at the first regularly-scheduled meeting of the Compensation Committee of the Board of Directors (the “Compensation Committee”) in the fiscal year following the public release of the Company’s financial results for the prior fiscal year. In recent years, the Compensation Committee has awarded only grants of RSUs and PSUs. Outside directors automatically receive restricted stock units following each annual meeting of shareholders.RSUs awarded prior to fiscal year 2022 vest 5 years after the grant date and those awarded after fiscal year 2022 vest 3 years after the grant date. After vesting RSUs are paid out in shares of common stock. Under the terms of the RSU awards, grantees receive dividend equivalents in the form of additional RSUs that vest and are paid out on the same vesting date as the original RSU grant. The PSUs vest 3 years from the grant date, are paid out in shares of common stock at the vesting date, and do not carry rights to dividends or dividend equivalents prior to vesting. Shares ultimately paid out under PSU grants are dependent on the achievement of predetermined performance measures established by the Compensation Committee and can range from zero to 150% of the stated award. RSUs awarded to outside directors vest 1 year after the grant date. Additionally, restricted stock vests upon the individual’s retirement from service as a director.RSUs, Restricted Stock, and PSUsThe following table summarizes the Company’s RSU, restricted stock, and PSU activity for fiscal years 2022 through 2024: RSUsRestricted StockPSUsSharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair ValueSharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair ValueSharesWeighted-AverageGrant DateFair ValueFiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022:Unvested at beginning of year342,468 $55.44 11,600 $41.86 161,147 $46.20 Granted93,564 56.18 — — 48,650 47.95 Vested(86,488)54.33 — — (50,242)57.12 Forfeited— — — — (1,555)57.12 Unvested at end of year349,544 55.86 11,600 41.86 158,000 43.16 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023:Granted100,105 60.89 — — 48,315 54.46 Vested(67,239)62.39 — — (37,040)50.16 Forfeited— — — — (9,260)50.16 Unvested at end of year382,410 56.03 11,600 41.86 160,015 44.55 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024:Granted117,103 51.90 — — 65,645 43.01 Vested(109,877)61.75 — — (73,963)34.45 Forfeited— — — — (467)34.33 Unvested at end of year389,636 $53.18 11,600 $41.86 151,230 $48.22 Shares granted and vested in the above table include dividend equivalents on RSUs and any shares awarded above the base grant under the performance provisions of PSUs. Shares forfeited or canceled include any reductions from the base PSU grant under those same performance provisions. The fair values of RSUs, restricted stock, and PSUs are based on the market price of the common stock on the grant date.Stock-Based Compensation ExpenseFair value expense for stock-based compensation is recognized ratably over the period from grant date to the earlier of (1) the vesting date of the award, or (2) the date the grantee is eligible to retire without forfeiting the award. For employees who are already eligible to retire at the date an award is granted, the total fair value of the award is recognized as expense at the date of 80UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)grant. For the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, total stock-based compensation expense and the related income tax benefit recognized were as follows:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Total stock-based compensation expense$12,063 $8,419 $6,186 Income tax benefit recorded on stock-based compensation expense$2,713 $1,899 $1,389 At March 31, 2024, the Company had $1.7 million of unrecognized compensation expense related to stock-based awards, which will be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 0.6 years.NOTE 16.   COMMITMENTS, CONTINGENCIES, AND OTHER MATTERS CommitmentsThe Company enters into contracts to purchase tobacco from farmers in a number of the countries where it operates. Contracts in most countries cover one annual growing season. Primarily with the farmer contracts in Brazil, Malawi, Mozambique, the Philippines, Guatemala, and Mexico, the Company provides seasonal financing to support the farmers’ production of their crops. At March 31, 2024, the Company had contracts to purchase approximately $642 million of tobacco to be delivered during the coming fiscal year and $189 million of tobacco to be delivered in subsequent years. These amounts are estimates since actual quantities purchased will depend on crop yields, and prices will depend on the quality of the tobacco delivered and other market factors. Tobacco purchase obligations have been partially funded by short-term advances to farmers and other suppliers, which totaled approximately $139 million, net of allowances, at March 31, 2024. The Company withholds payments due to farmers on delivery of the tobacco to satisfy repayment of the financing it provided to the farmers. In addition to its contractual obligations to purchase tobacco, the Company had commitments related to agricultural materials, approved capital expenditures, and various other requirements that approximated $102 million at March 31, 2024.Other Contingent LiabilitiesOther Contingent Liabilities (Letters of credit)The Company had other contingent liabilities totaling approximately $0.5 million at March 31, 2024, primarily under outstanding letters of credit. Value-Added Tax Assessments in BrazilAs discussed in Note 1, the Company's local operating subsidiaries pay significant amounts of VAT in connection with their normal operations. In Brazil, VAT is assessed at the state level when green tobacco is transferred between states. The Company's operating subsidiary there pays VAT when tobaccos grown in the states of Santa Catarina and Parana are transferred to its factory in the state of Rio Grande do Sul for processing. The subsidiary received assessments for additional VAT plus interest and penalties from the tax authorities for the states of Santa Catarina and Parana based on audits of the subsidiary's VAT filings for specified periods. In June 2011, tax authorities for the state of Santa Catarina issued assessments for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2006 through 2009 totaling approximately $14 million. In September 2014, tax authorities for the state of Santa Catarina issued a reduced assessment for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2009 through 2014. The subsidiary contested the assessment through a variety of judicial hearings. In March 2024, the subsidiary elected to participate in a voluntary state government sponsored program that significantly reduced the assessed penalties and interest. The subsidiary's participation in the program resulted in the matter being settled for $5 million and eliminates any further litigation regarding the matter.In September 2014, tax authorities for the state of Parana issued an assessment for tax, interest, and penalties for periods from 2009 through 2014 totaling approximately $11 million. These amounts are based on the exchange rate for the Brazilian currency at March 31, 2024. Management of the operating subsidiary and outside counsel believe that errors were made by the tax authorities for the state of Parana in determining all or significant portions of this assessment and that various defenses support the subsidiary's position. Management of the subsidiary and outside counsel challenged the full amount of the claim. A significant portion of the Parana assessment was based on positions taken by the tax authorities that management and outside counsel believe deviate significantly from the underlying statutes and relevant case law. In addition, under the law, the subsidiary's tax filings for certain periods covered in the assessment were no longer open to any challenge by the tax authorities. In December 2015, the Parana tax authorities withdrew the initial claim and subsequently issued a new assessment covering the same tax periods. The new assessment totaled approximately $3 million at the March 31, 2024 exchange rate, reflecting a substantial reduction from the original $11 million assessment. Notwithstanding the reduction, management and outside counsel continue to believe that the new 81UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)assessment is not supported by the underlying statutes and relevant case law and have challenged the full amount of the claim. The range of reasonably possible loss is considered to be zero up to the full $3 million assessment. However, based on the strength of the subsidiary's defenses, no loss within that range is considered probable at this time and no liability has been recorded at March 31, 2024.The process for reaching a final resolution to the Parana assessment is expected to be lengthy, and management is not currently able to predict when the case will be concluded. Should the subsidiary ultimately be required to pay any tax, interest, or penalties, the portion paid for tax would generate VAT credits that the subsidiary may be able to recover.Other Legal and Tax MattersVarious subsidiaries of the Company are involved in other litigation and tax examinations incidental to their business activities. While the outcome of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty, management is vigorously defending the matters and does not currently expect that any of them will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business or financial position. However, should one or more of these matters be resolved in a manner adverse to management’s current expectation, the effect on the Company’s results of operations for a particular fiscal reporting period could be material.NOTE 17.   OPERATING SEGMENTSManagement regularly evaluates the Company’s global business activities, including product and service offerings to its customers, as well as senior management’s operational and financial responsibilities. Assessments include an analysis of how its chief operating decision maker measures business performance and allocates resources. As a result of this analysis, senior management has determined the Company conducts operations across two reportable operating segments, Tobacco Operations and Ingredients Operations. The Tobacco Operations segment activities involve contracting, procuring, processing, packing, storing, and shipping leaf tobacco for sale to, or for the account of, manufacturers of consumer tobacco products throughout the world. Through various operating subsidiaries located in tobacco-growing countries around the world and significant ownership interests in unconsolidated affiliates, the Company processes and/or sells flue-cured and burley tobaccos, dark air-cured tobaccos, and oriental tobaccos. Flue-cured, burley, and oriental tobaccos are used principally in the manufacture of cigarettes, and dark air-cured tobaccos are used mainly in the manufacture of cigars, pipe tobacco, and smokeless tobacco products. Some of these tobacco types are also increasingly used in the manufacture of next generation tobacco products that are intended to provide consumers with an alternative to traditional combustible products. The Tobacco Operations segment also provides physical and chemical product testing for tobacco customers. A substantial portion of the Company’s Tobacco Operations' revenues are derived from sales to a limited number of large, multinational cigarette and cigar manufacturers.The Ingredients Operations segment provides its customers with a broad variety of plant-based ingredients for both human and pet consumption. The Ingredients Operations segment utilizes a variety of value-added manufacturing processes converting raw materials into a wide spectrum of fruit and vegetable juices, concentrates, dehydrated products, botanical extracts, and flavorings. Customers for the Ingredients Operations segment include large multinational food and beverage companies, smaller independent manufacturers, and retail organizations. FruitSmart, Silva, and Shank's are the primary operations for the Ingredients Operations segment. FruitSmart supplies a broad set of juices, concentrates, pomaces, purees, fruit fibers, seeds, seed powders, and other value-added products to food, beverage, and flavor companies throughout the United States and internationally. Silva procures dehydrated vegetables, fruits, and herbs from around the world and specializes in processing natural materials into custom designed dehydrated vegetable and fruit-based ingredients for a variety of end products. Shank's offers a diversified portfolio of botanical extracts, distillates, natural flavors, and color for industrial and private label customers worldwide, and is known for their significant vanilla expertise. Shank's is also equipped to offer customers custom bottling and packaging for their products. Universal incurs overhead expenses related to senior management, sales, finance, legal, and other functions that are centralized at its corporate headquarters, as well as functions performed at several sales and administrative offices around the world. These overhead expenses are currently allocated to the reportable operating segments, generally on the basis of projected annual financial and operational performance, including volumes planned to be purchased and/or processed. Management believes this method of allocation is currently representative of the value of the related services provided to the operating segments. The Company currently evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income after allocated overhead expenses, plus equity in the pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates.82UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Reportable segment data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, is as follows:Sales and Other Operating RevenuesOperating IncomeFiscal Year Ended March 31,Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022202420232022Tobacco Operations$2,438,775 $2,258,260 $1,835,790 $222,352 $172,889 $157,754 Ingredients Operations309,798 311,564 267,811 3,936 10,566 16,581 Subtotal2,748,573 2,569,824 2,103,601 226,288 183,455 174,335 Deduct: Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates (1) (756)(2,383)(6,095)Restructuring and impairment costs (2) (3,523)— (10,457)Add: Other income (3) — — 2,532 Consolidated total$2,748,573 $2,569,824 $2,103,601 $222,009 $181,072 $160,315 Segment AssetsAccounts Receivable, netMarch 31,March 31,202420232022202420232022Tobacco Operations$2,451,895 $2,164,600 $2,109,845 $472,357 $350,014 $336,638 Ingredients Operations485,344 474,582 476,500 52,905 52,059 48,799 Consolidated total$2,937,239 $2,639,182 $2,586,345 $525,262 $402,073 $385,437 Goodwill, netIntangibles, netMarch 31,Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022202420232022Tobacco Operations$97,801 $97,854 $97,930 $62 $34 $57 Ingredients Operations116,068 116,068 116,068 68,821 80,067 92,514 Consolidated total$213,869 $213,922 $213,998 $68,883 $80,101 $92,571 Capital ExpendituresDepreciation and AmortizationFiscal Year Ended March 31,Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022202420232022Tobacco Operations$35,173 $38,084 $34,237 $40,267 $38,650 $36,272 Ingredients Operations30,840 16,590 18,966 18,059 18,650 16,249 Consolidated total$66,013 $54,674 $53,203 $58,326 $57,300 $52,521 (1)Equity in pretax earnings of unconsolidated affiliates is included in reportable segment operating income, but is reported below consolidated operating income and excluded from that total in the consolidated statements of income.(2)Restructuring and impairment costs are excluded from reportable segment operating income, but are included in consolidated operating income in the consolidated statements of income (see Note 4).(3)Other income represents the reversal of the contingent consideration liability associated with the acquisition of FruitSmart.83UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)Geographic data as of, or for, the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022, is presented below. Sales and other operating revenues are attributed to individual countries based on the final destination of the shipment. Long-lived assets generally consist of net property, plant, and equipment, goodwill, and other intangibles.Geographic DataSales and Other Operating RevenuesFiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Belgium$552,208 $395,616 $283,072 United States547,923 530,467 495,322 China219,979 204,139 97,826 Philippines133,656 149,867 147,876 Indonesia117,019 45,089 41,738 Poland97,723 119,629 90,270 Germany95,350 108,844 93,057 Netherlands42,492 51,843 45,297 Mexico26,438 51,847 29,514 France16,669 64,563 39,307 All other countries899,116 847,920 740,322 Consolidated total$2,748,573 $2,569,824 $2,103,601 Long-Lived AssetsMarch 31,(in thousands)202420232022United States$355,905 $343,470 $344,276 Brazil139,642 134,232 136,653 Mozambique35,845 38,979 40,228 All other countries117,240 128,504 130,530 Consolidated total$648,632 $645,185 $651,687 84UNIVERSAL CORPORATION NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS—(Continued)NOTE 18. ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)The following table summarizes the changes in the balances for each component of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the Company for the fiscal years ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022:Fiscal Year Ended March 31,202420232022Foreign currency translation:Balance at beginning of year$(44,233)$(40,965)$(35,135)Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:Net gain (loss) on foreign currency translation(1,531)(3,166)(6,367)Less: Net loss on foreign currency translation attributable to noncontrolling interests949 (102)537 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes(582)(3,268)(5,830)Balance at end of year$(44,815)$(44,233)$(40,965)Foreign currency hedge:Balance at beginning of year$4,899 $3,579 $(414)Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $17, $(1,160) and $(2,199))(187)2,562 6,679 Reclassification of net (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $1,718, $389, and $1,115)(1)(5,328)(1,242)(2,686)Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes(5,515)1,320 3,993 Balance at end of year$(616)$4,899 $3,579 Interest rate hedge:Balance at beginning of year$5,253 $(860)$(19,480)Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:Net gain (loss) on derivative instruments (net of tax (expense) benefit of $(4,035), $(2,583), and $(3,249))11,340 7,220 12,402 Reclassification of net (gain) loss to earnings (net of tax expense (benefit) of $2,884, $396, and $(1,628))(2) (8,105)(1,107)6,218 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes3,235 6,113 18,620 Balance at end of year$8,488 $5,253 $(860)Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:Balance at beginning of year$(42,976)$(46,065)$(52,008)Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation:Net gain (loss) arising during the year (net of tax (expense) benefit of $149, $(370), and $(297)(3) (430)1,947 2,799 Amortization included in earnings (net of tax benefit of $339, $223, and $298)(4) (1,236)1,142 3,144 Other comprehensive income (loss) attributable to Universal Corporation, net of income taxes(1,666)3,089 5,943 Balance at end of year$(44,642)$(42,976)$(46,065)Total accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at end of year$(81,585)$(77,057)$(84,311)(1)    Gains (losses) on foreign currency cash flow hedges related to forecast purchases of tobacco and crop input sales are reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to cost of goods sold when the tobacco is sold to customers. See Note 11 for additional information.(2)    Gain (loss) on interest rate cash flow hedges is reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to interest expense when the related interest payments are made on the debt for open interest rate swap agreements or as amortized to interest expense over the period to original maturity for terminated swap agreements. See Note 11 for additional information.(3)    These items arise from the remeasurement of the assets and liabilities of the Company's defined benefit pension and other postretirement benefit plans. Those remeasurements are made on an annual basis at the end of the fiscal year. See Note 13 for additional information.(4)    This accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) component is included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 13 for additional information.85Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting FirmTo the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Universal CorporationOpinion on the Financial StatementsWe have audited the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of Universal Corporation (the Company) as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 (collectively referred to as the “consolidated financial statements”). In our opinion, the consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Company at March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the results of its operations and its cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024, in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) and our report dated May 29, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.Basis for OpinionThese financial statements are the responsibility of the Company’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s financial statements based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.Critical Audit MattersThe critical audit matters communicated below are matters arising from the current period audit of the financial statements that were communicated or required to be communicated to the audit committee and that: (1) relate to accounts or disclosures that are material to the financial statements and (2) involved our especially challenging, subjective or complex judgments. The communication of critical audit matters does not alter in any way our opinion on the consolidated financial statements, taken as a whole, and we are not, by communicating the critical audit matters below, providing separate opinions on the critical audit matters or on the accounts or disclosures to which they relate.86Allowance for Advances to Tobacco  Suppliers Description of the MatterThe Company’s short-term and long-term advances to tobacco suppliers totaled approximately $162 million as of March 31, 2024, and the allowances totaled $20 million. As discussed in Note 1 of the financial statements, the Company provides agronomy services and seasonal advances of seed, fertilizer, and other supplies to tobacco farmers for crop production. These advances are repaid through the delivery of tobacco to the Company. Management determined the allowance based on assumptions including the assessment of historical loss information and crop projections. Auditing Management’s estimate for the allowance on advances to tobacco suppliers was complex and involved subjective auditor judgment as the estimate relies on a number of factors that are affected by market and economic conditions outside the Company’s control. There is uncertainty associated with the assumptions used which could have a significant effect on the allowance estimate.How We Addressed the Matter in Our AuditWe obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over the allowance on the advances to tobacco suppliers. For example, we tested controls over the supplier advance approval and Management’s review and approval of the models used to calculate the allowance. We also tested controls used by Management to evaluate the data used in making the estimates for completeness and accuracy.  To test the allowance for advances to tobacco suppliers, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the significant assumptions used in the allowance calculation. For example, we compared historical loss information to Management’s estimate of projected crop yield and analyzed the sensitivity of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the allowance that would result from changes in the assumptions. We analyzed subsequent events to identify potential sources of contrary information to Management’s assumptions.Allowance for Recoverable Value-Added Tax (“VAT”) CreditsDescription of the MatterThe Company’s gross balance of recoverable value-added tax (“VAT”) credits totaled approximately $72 million as of March 31, 2024, and the related allowance totaled approximately $21 million. As discussed in Note 1 of the financial statements, in many foreign countries, the Company pays and receives a significant amount of VAT on purchases and sales of tobacco and tobacco related material. Items subject to a VAT vary from jurisdiction to jurisdiction as do the rates at which the tax is assessed. Some jurisdictions allow companies to apply for refunds of unused VAT credits from the tax authorities, but the refund process may take an extended period of time and it is not uncommon for refund applications to be challenged or rejected. Some jurisdictions also permit companies to sell or transfer unused VAT credits to third parties in private transactions although the proceeds realized may be heavily discounted from the face value of the credits. Management applied judgment in calculating the valuation allowance to estimate the credits that are not expected to be recovered. Auditing Management’s estimate of the VAT allowance was complex and involved a high degree of subjectivity as the estimate relies on a number of factors including interpretations of applicable tax laws and regulations as well as economic and political conditions outside the Company’s control. There is uncertainty associated with the assumptions used which could have a significant effect on the estimate.How We Addressed the Matter in Our AuditWe obtained an understanding, evaluated the design, and tested the operating effectiveness of the Company’s internal controls over the allowance on the VAT. For example, we tested controls over Management’s review and approval of the models used in the allowance and the completeness and accuracy of the data inputs and outputs used in the calculation.  To test the VAT allowance estimate, our audit procedures included, among others, evaluating the significant assumptions used to estimate the VAT allowance and assessing the historical accuracy of Management’s estimates. For example, we evaluated whether the historical loss of credits used in Management’s calculation was representative of the current collectability of the credits. We analyzed the sensitivity of significant assumptions to evaluate the changes in the allowance that that would result from changes in the assumptions and we considered subsequent events to identify potential sources of contrary information to Management’s assumptions./s/ Ernst & Young LLPWe have served as the Company’s auditor since 1971.Richmond, VirginiaMay 29, 202487 Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingTo the Shareholders and the Board of Directors of Universal CorporationOpinion on Internal Control over Financial ReportingWe have audited Universal Corporation’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, based on criteria established in Internal Control-Integrated Framework issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework) (the COSO criteria). In our opinion, Universal Corporation, (the Company) maintained, in all material respects, effective internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024, based on the COSO criteria.We also have audited, in accordance with the standards of the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB), the consolidated balance sheets of the Company as of March 31, 2024 and 2023, and the related consolidated statements of income, comprehensive income, changes in shareholders’ equity and cash flows for each of the three years in the period ended March 31, 2024, and the related notes and financial statement schedule listed in the Index at Item 15(a)2 and our report dated May 29, 2024 expressed an unqualified opinion thereon.Basis for OpinionThe Company’s management is responsible for maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting and for its assessment of the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting included in the accompanying Management’s Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Company’s internal control over financial reporting based on our audit. We are a public accounting firm registered with the PCAOB and are required to be independent with respect to the Company in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.We conducted our audit in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether effective internal control over financial reporting was maintained in all material respects. Our audit included obtaining an understanding of internal control over financial reporting, assessing the risk that a material weakness exists, testing and evaluating the design and operating effectiveness of internal control based on the assessed risk, and performing such other procedures as we considered necessary in the circumstances. We believe that our audit provides a reasonable basis for our opinion.Definitions and Limitations of Internal Control Over Financial ReportingA company’s internal control over financial reporting is a process designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. A company’s internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that (1) pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of the company; (2) provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, and that receipts and expenditures of the company are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors of the company; and (3) provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use, or disposition of the company’s assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate./s/ Ernst & Young LLPRichmond, VirginiaMay 29, 202488Item 9.   Changes in and Disagreements With Accountants on Accounting and Financial Disclosure For the three years ended March 31, 2024, there were no changes in independent auditors, nor were there any disagreements between the Company and its independent auditors on any matter of accounting principles, practices, or financial disclosures.Item 9A. Controls and ProceduresDisclosure Controls and ProceduresThe Company maintains disclosure controls and procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed by the Company under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC rules and forms and that such information is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow for timely decisions regarding required disclosure. The Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer evaluated, with the participation of the Company’s management, the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(e)), as of the end of the period covered by this Annual Report. Based on this evaluation, the Company’s management, including its Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective. Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial ReportingThe Company’s management is responsible for establishing and maintaining effective internal control over financial reporting as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act. The Company’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance to management and the Board of Directors regarding the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements. Due to inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect all errors or misstatements in the financial statements, and even control procedures that are determined to be effective can provide only reasonable assurance with respect to financial statement preparation and presentation. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions.As required by Exchange Act Rule 13a-15(c), the Company’s Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, with the participation of other members of management, assessed the effectiveness of the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024. The evaluation was based on the criteria set forth in “Internal Control – Integrated Framework” issued by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (2013 framework). Based on this assessment, the Company’s management concluded that the Company’s internal control over financial reporting was effective at the reasonable assurance level as of March 31, 2024.The Company’s independent registered public accounting firm, Ernst & Young LLP, has audited the Company’s internal control over financial reporting as of March 31, 2024. Their report on this audit appears on page 90 of this Annual Report.Changes in Internal Control Over Financial ReportingThere were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s last fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.Attestation Report of Registered Accounting FirmThe attestation report required under this Item 9A is contained in Item 8 of this Form 10-K under the caption “Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.”Item 9B.  Other InformationDuring the three months ended March 31, 2024, none of our directors or officers (as defined in Rule 16a-1(f) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) adopted or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement (as such terms are defined in Item 408 of Regulation S-K of the Securities Act of 1933). Item 9C.  Disclosure Regarding Foreign Jurisdictions that Prevent InspectionsNone.89PART IIIItem 10.   Directors, Executive Officers, and Corporate Governance Except as to the matters set forth below, information required by this Item is incorporated herein by reference to the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement.  90The following are executive officers of the Company as of May 29, 2024:Name and AgePositionBusiness Experience During Past The Five YearsG. C. Freeman, III (61)Chairman, President, and Chief Executive OfficerMr. Freeman was elected Chairman of the Board in August 2008, Chief Executive Officer effective April 2008, President in December 2006, and Vice President in November 2005. Mr. Freeman served as General Counsel and Secretary from February 2001 until November 2005 and has been employed with the Company since 1997.A. L. Hentschke (54)Senior Vice President and Chief Operating OfficerMr. Hentschke was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Operating Officer in April 2015. From January 2013 to April 2015, he served as Executive Vice President of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated ("Universal Leaf"). From November 2009 to January 2013, Mr. Hentschke served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Universal Leaf Tabacos, Limitada, the Company's operating subsidiary in Brazil. He has been employed with the Company and its affiliates since 1991.J. C. Kroner (56)Senior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerMr. Kroner was elected Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer effective September 2018. Mr. Kroner was elected Senior Vice President in February 2018. He served as Senior Vice President of Universal Leaf from September 2014 to September 2018. He served as Vice President from October 2011 to September 2014. He has been employed with the Company since July 1993.P. D. Wigner (55)Senior Vice PresidentMr. Wigner was elected Senior Vice President effective April 2024. He served as Vice President since August 2007, and General Counsel and Secretary since November 2005. He also served as Chief Compliance Officer from November 2007 until September 2012. Mr. Wigner served as Senior Counsel of Universal Leaf from November 2004 until November 2005. He has been employed with the Company since 2003.C. H. Claiborne (63)Vice President, General Counsel and SecretaryMrs. Claiborne was elected as General Counsel and Secretary effective April 2024. She has served as Vice President and Assistant Secretary since February 2018. From October 2004 to February 2018, Mrs. Claiborne served as Vice President, Associate General Counsel, and Secretary of Universal Leaf. She has been employed with the Company since December 1999. J. Patrick O’Keefe (55)Vice President, IngredientsMr. O’Keefe was elected Vice President, Ingredients effective May 23, 2023.  Mr. O’Keefe is also Senior Vice President of Universal Global Ventures, Inc., a position he has held since April 1, 2020.  Prior to joining the Company on April 1, 2020, Mr. O’Keefe was employed by Allen Flavors since July 2018, having served as their Chief Operating Officer, Americas from December 2018 until March 2020.S. J. Bleicher (47)Vice President and ControllerMr. Bleicher was elected Vice President and Controller in June 2019. Mr. Bleicher joined the Company in August 2014 and served as Assistant Controller through May 2019.M. Starke (48)Senior Vice PresidentMr. Starke was elected Senior Vice President and Sales Director effective July 2023. He has served as Senior Vice President since 2017, as Vice President from January 2012 until February 2017, and Assistant Vice President from October 2007 until January 2012. Mr. Starke joined the Company in 1999.S. S. Diel (52)Vice President, Business DevelopmentMr. Diel was elected Vice President, Business Development in May 2018. Mr. Diel joined the Company in May 2018.There are no family relationships between any of the above officers.91The Company has a Code of Conduct that includes the NYSE requirements for a “Code of Business Conduct and Ethics” and the SEC requirements for a “Code of Ethics for Senior Financial Officers.”  The Code of Conduct is applicable to all officers, employees, and outside directors of the Company, including the principal executive officer, principal financial officer, and principal accounting officer. A copy of the Code of Conduct is available through the “Investors-Governance” section of the Company’s website at www.universalcorp.com. If the Company amends a provision of the Code of Conduct, or grants a waiver from any such provision to a director or executive officer, the Company will disclose such amendments and the details of such waivers on the Company’s website www.universalcorp.com to the extent required by the SEC or the NYSE. Other than the matters set forth above, the information required by Item 401 of Regulation S-K is contained under the caption “Proposal One - Election of Directors” of the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.The information required by Item 405 of Regulation S-K is contained under the caption “Stock Ownership—Delinquent Section 16(a) Reports” of the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated herein.The information required by Item 406, Items 407(c)(3), (d)(4) and (d)(5), and Item 408(b) of Regulation S-K is contained under the captions “Corporate Governance and Committees—Committees of the Board—Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee,” “Corporate Governance and Committees—Committees of the Board—Audit Committee” of the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.The information required by Item 408(b) of Regulation S-K is contained under the caption “Corporate Governance and Committees—Insider Trading Policy” of the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.Item 11.   Executive Compensation Refer to the captions “Compensation Discussion and Analysis,” “Executive Compensation,” “Report of the Compensation Committee,” “Compensation Committee Interlocks and Inside Participation” and “Directors’ Compensation” in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 12.   Security Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners and Management and Related Stockholder Matters Refer to the caption “Stock Ownership” and "Equity Compensation Information" in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. Item 13.   Certain Relationships and Related Transactions, and Director Independence    Refer to the caption “Certain Transactions” in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference. The information required by Item 407(a) of Regulation S-K is contained under the caption “Corporate Governance and Committees—Director Independence” of the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement and such information is incorporated by reference herein.Item 14.   Principal Accounting Fees and Services Refer to the captions “Audit Information – Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” and “Audit Information – Pre-Approval Policies and Procedures” in the Company’s 2024 Proxy Statement, which information is incorporated herein by reference.92PART IV Item 15.   Exhibits, Financial Statement Schedules (a)    The following are filed as part of this Annual Report:1.Financial Statements. Consolidated Statements of Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 Consolidated Balance Sheets at March 31, 2024 and 2023 Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements for the Fiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID 42)Report of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting (PCAOB ID 42)2.Financial Statement Schedules. Schedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts3.Exhibits. The exhibits are listed in the Exhibit Index immediately prior to the signature pages to this Annual Report.(b)ExhibitsThe response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section to this Annual Report.(c)    Financial Statement SchedulesSchedule II – Valuation and Qualifying Accounts appears on the following page of this Annual Report. All other schedules are not required under the related instructions or are not applicable and therefore have been omitted. Item 16.   Form 10-K SummaryNone.93Schedule II - Valuation and Qualifying AccountsUniversal CorporationFiscal Years Ended March 31, 2024, 2023, and 2022 DescriptionBalance atBeginningof YearNetAdditions(Reversals) Chargedto ExpenseAdditionsChargedto OtherAccountsDeductions (1)Balanceat Endof Year(in thousands of dollars)Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2022:Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)$1,252 $1,004 $— $(468)$1,788 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)17,817 5,988 — (4,833)18,972 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)19,169 895 — 1,271 21,335 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2023:Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)$1,788 $221 $— $(397)$1,612 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)18,972 10,584 — (5,169)24,387 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)21,335 376 — (75)21,636 Fiscal Year Ended March 31, 2024:Allowance for doubtful accounts (deducted from accounts receivable)$1,612 $1,608 $— $(484)$2,736 Allowance for supplier accounts (deducted from advances to suppliers and other noncurrent assets)24,387 14,090 — (18,834)19,643 Allowance for recoverable taxes (deducted from other current assets and other noncurrent assets)21,636 (276)— 15 21,375 (1)     Includes direct write-offs of assets and currency remeasurement.94EXHIBIT INDEX3.1 Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation, effective August 9, 2011 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K Registration Statement filed August 9, 2011, File No. 001-00652).3.2 Amended and Restated Bylaws, effective November 1,2023 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated November 2, 2023, File No. 001-00652).4.1 Description of Registrant's Securities Pursuant to Section 12 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2021, File No. 001-00652).4.2 Indenture between the Registrant and Chemical Bank, as trustee (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated February 25, 1991, File No. 001-00652).4.3 Specimen Common Stock Certificate (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Amendment No. 1 to Registrant’s Form 8-A Registration Statement, dated May 7, 1999, File No. 001-00652).10.1†Form of Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Executive Life Insurance Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, File No. 001-00652).10.2†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Deferred Income Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 001-00652).10.3†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Benefit Replacement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Report on Form 8-K, dated February 8, 1991, File No. 001-00652).10.4†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1994 Benefit Replacement Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1994, File No. 001-00652).10.5†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1996 Benefit Restoration Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1996, File No. 001-00652).10.6†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated 1994 Deferred Income Plan, amended and restated as of July 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, File No. 001-00652).10.7†Universal Corporation Outside Directors’ Deferred Income Plan, restated as of October 1, 1998 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 1998, File No. 001-00652).10.8†Revised Form of Universal Corporation Non-Employee Director Restricted Stock Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated June 9, 2010, File No. 001-00652).10.9†Universal Corporation Director’s Charitable Award Program (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 1998, File No. 001-00652).10.10†Universal Corporation 1997 Executive Stock Plan, as amended on August 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, File No. 001-00652).10.11†Universal Corporation 2002 Executive Stock Plan, as amended on August 7, 2003 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended June 30, 2003, File No. 001-00652).10.12†Form of Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed November 10, 2008, File No. 001-00652).10.13†Universal Corporation 2007 Amended and Restated Stock Incentive Plan effective August 7, 2012 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit A to the Registrant’s definitive proxy statement filed June 28, 2012, File No. 001-00652).9510.14†Amended and Restated Universal Corporation Executive Officer Annual Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's definitive proxy statement filed July 24, 2019, File No. 001-00652).10.15†Universal Corporation 2017 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's definitive proxy statement filed June 26, 2017 (File No. 001-00652).10.16†Universal Corporation 2023 Stock Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's definitive proxy statement filed June 23, 2023 (File No. 001-00652).10.17†Form of Universal Corporation 2010 Restricted Stock Units Agreement with Schedule of Awards to named executive officers (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).10.18†Universal Leaf Tobacco Company, Incorporated Deferred Income Plan III, amended and restated as of December 31, 2008 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).10.19†Universal Corporation Outside Directors' Deferred Income Plan III, amended and restated as of December 31, 2008, and amended as of February 1, 2010 (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2010, File No. 001-00652).10.20†Form of Universal Corporation 2011 Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, File No. 001-00652).10.21†Form of Universal Corporation Performance Share Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2011, File No. 001-00652).10.22†Executive change in control severance policy (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 30, 2020, File No. 001-00652)10.23†Form of Universal Corporation 2021 Performance Stock Units Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, File No. 001-00652).10.24†Form of Universal Corporation 2021 Restricted Stock Units Award Agreement (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2021, File No. 001-00652).10.25 Purchase Agreement dated as of September 6, 2021, by and among Shank's Extracts, Inc., the stockholder named therein, Rolling Rock Transit Company and Universal Corporation (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant's Current Report on form 8-k filed September 7, 2021. File No. 001-00652).10.26 Credit Agreement dated December 15, 2022 among the Company, JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A., as Administrative Agent, Truist Bank and AgFirst Farm Credit Bank, as Co-Syndication Agents and First Horizon, KeyBank National Association and Citibank, N.A., as Co-Documentation Agents (incorporated herein by reference to the Registrant’s Current Report on Form 8-K dated December 16, 2022, File No. 001-00652)19.1 Universal Corporation Insider Trading Policy and Procedures*21 Subsidiaries of the Registrant.*23 Consent of Ernst & Young LLP, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm.*31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.*32.1 Statement of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*32.2 Statement of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350.*97.1 Universal Corporation Dodd-Frank Clawback Policy*96101Interactive Data Files (submitted electronically herewith)*101.INS XBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document. 101.SCH XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document 101.CAL XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document 101.DEF XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document 101.LAB XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document 101.PRE XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document  In accordance with Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, the XBRL related information in Exhibit 101 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K shall not be deemed to be “filed” for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act, or otherwise subject to the liability of that section and shall not be part of any registration or other document filed under the Securities Act or the Exchange Act, except as shall be expressly set forth by specific reference in such filing.104 Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101)* Filed herewith.† Management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.97SIGNATURES Pursuant to the requirements of Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized. UNIVERSAL CORPORATIONMay 29, 2024By:/s/  GEORGE C. FREEMAN, IIIGeorge C. Freeman, IIIChairman, President, and Chief Executive OfficerPursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the Registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated. SignatureTitleDate/s/  GEORGE C. FREEMAN, IIIChairman, President, Chief Executive Officer, and DirectorMay 29, 2024George C. Freeman, III(Principal Executive Officer)/s/  JOHAN C. KRONERSenior Vice President and Chief Financial OfficerMay 29, 2024Johan C. Kroner(Principal Financial Officer)/s/  SCOTT J. BLEICHERVice President and ControllerMay 29, 2024Scott J. Bleicher(Principal Accounting Officer)/s/  DIANA F. CANTORDirectorMay 29, 2024Diana F. Cantor/s/  LENNART R. FREEMANDirectorMay 29, 2024Lennart R. Freeman/s/  THOMAS H. JOHNSONDirectorMay 29, 2024Thomas H. Johnson/s/  MICHAEL T. LAWTONDirectorMay 29, 2024Michael T. Lawton/s/ ARTHUR J. SCHICK, JR.DirectorMay 29, 2024Arthur J. Schick, Jr./s/  ROBERT C. SLEDDDirectorMay 29, 2024Robert C. Sledd/s/  THOMAS H. TULLIDGE, JR.DirectorMay 29, 2024Thomas H. Tullidge, Jr./s/  JACQUELINE T. WILLIAMSDirectorMay 29, 2024Jacqueline T. Williams9899
